English-Medium D.El.Ed Scrapped at DIET Hyderabad, Aspirants Left Without Options

The decision to discontinue the English-medium Diploma in Elementary Education course at the District Institute of Education and Training, Hyderabad, has left aspiring teacher trainees uncertain about their academic future.

According to officials, the English-medium D.El.Ed programme will not be offered at District Institute of Education and Training, commonly known as DIET Hyderabad, for the upcoming academic year. The move has come as a shock to candidates who were preparing specifically for English-medium teacher training, viewing it as a critical pathway to employment in private and English-medium schools.

Education department sources said the decision follows revised intake planning and policy-level changes linked to course rationalisation across government teacher training institutes. While Telugu-medium seats will continue, no alternative English-medium option has been announced within the government-run DIET system in Hyderabad district.

Aspirants said the absence of clear communication has added to their distress. Many had already completed preparatory steps, including documentation and entrance-related formalities, assuming continuity of the English-medium course based on previous years. Several candidates pointed out that shifting to private colleges would significantly raise costs, placing the programme beyond the reach of students from modest backgrounds.

Officials from the school education department maintained that the intake structure is reviewed annually and depends on demand, faculty availability, and regulatory norms. They added that candidates could explore English-medium D.El.Ed seats in private teacher education institutions affiliated with recognised boards, though no specific support or transition plan has been outlined.

Student groups have urged the government to reconsider the decision or provide clarity on alternative arrangements. They argue that the growing demand for English-medium instruction in schools makes trained English-medium elementary teachers essential, especially in urban centres like Hyderabad.

For now, aspirants remain in limbo, awaiting either a policy reversal or a formal advisory on viable options for pursuing English-medium teacher education in the state.