English proficiency for empowerment: Modi’s SCOPE vision contrasts Amit Shah’s remark

By Rajiv Shah

While Union Home Minister Amit Shah may have asserted that soon a time would come when those speaking English in the country would “feel ashamed”, it is ironic that Narendra Modi, when he was Gujarat chief minister, had launched what was called the SCOPE programme, actively involving the University of Cambridge to provide opportunities to the youth of Gujarat to "become not just job seekers but job creators (entrepreneurs)."

Standing for the Society for Creation of Opportunities through Proficiency in English, SCOPE was initiated in 2007 by the Education Department of the Government of Gujarat. It claimed to have "enrolled 6,00,000+ candidates across Gujarat", with the state government's SCOPE website calling it a "great achievement." Open the SCOPE site (scope.gujgov.in) and a prominent announcement greets you:

"COMING SOON: Empowering Youth through English Proficiency. Stay tuned for an exciting new initiative to boost your English skills and career opportunities."

SCOPE, says the site, "in association with Cambridge English, part of the University of Cambridge, UK", provides "assessment, evaluation and international certification" in English. The programme is said to take into account "the key concepts of governance like convenience, affordability, equity, inclusivity and accessibility."

To quote the site: "SCOPE is the brainchild of the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Hon. Shri Narendra Modi, operating under the auspices of the Education Department, Government of Gujarat. Founded in 2007, SCOPE emerged with the primary objective to enhance English language proficiency among the youth of Gujarat so they become not just job seekers but job creators (entrepreneurs)."

Revealing its objectives, the regularly updated site states, "SCOPE actively organizes diverse training sessions, workshops, exams, seminars and other initiatives for the promotion and dissemination of the English language, as well as the development of language skills, so that the students and youth studying in various colleges do not lag behind in getting employment opportunities due to lack of English language proficiency."

It claims, "Since its establishment, it has enrolled 6,39,900+ students who have acquired certificates accredited by Cambridge University." The site adds that its objectives include building "English language proficiency in the youth of Gujarat and thereby creating employment opportunities for them," and "to aid and promote advancement of communication skills in English by imparting training to the youth of 15-35 years of age group."

Other objectives include helping "imbibe reading, listening and speaking skills of the English language among the youth of Gujarat for achieving opportunity through proficiency in English Language," and achieving "excellence through convenience, affordability, equity, inclusivity and accessibility."

The website underscores that, in order to enhance "employability and to showcase proficiency in English," SCOPE has partnered with Cambridge English, part of the University of Cambridge, UK, as the assessment and certification partner, hoping this would "reach the maximum number of youth across Gujarat and create awareness among them to learn the English language."

The site claims that SCOPE would help students "suitably place themselves in a course of study and choose the right Cambridge examination," enabling them to achieve a "fast and effective way to determine the right level for your students and to determine which Cambridge exam they are ready to study for." The courses assess reading, listening, and language knowledge skills so that they can appear in a single test that "covers reading and listening skills as well as language knowledge (grammar and vocabulary)."

Pointing out that SCOPE "is suitable for all candidates aged 12+", the site states, "Each learner gets a test score as well as a CEPT (Cambridge English Placement Test)," which features "a variety of accents and texts from a range of English-speaking countries" — calling it a "fast, accurate and affordable online test designed to evaluate learners’ level of English and relate it to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)."

Highlighting that the test has been conducted with the help of authorised Cambridge partners since 2008, the site also mentions that SCOPE offers a Linguaskill programme, a "quick and convenient online test to help organisations check the English levels of individuals and groups of candidates, powered by Artificial Intelligence technology." It adds, "It tests all four language skills — speaking, writing, reading and listening — in modules."

The site claims that Linguaskill "provides accurate results within 48 hours and is easy to administer," and that one can "administer the test at any time or place, even to candidates at home." It notes that "Linguaskill is distributed through our network of authorised agents who run and administer the test."

SCOPE seeks the cooperation of educational institutions to adopt Linguaskill "to measure a candidate’s level of English for admission, progression over time or graduation," telling them, "You can then make informed decisions about course placement and any language support requirements," and attract "the best employers by highlighting students’ excellent communication skills," while helping "mobilize a large number of students on their dream to study abroad."

Insisting that "the ability to communicate well in English is essential for any business," the site states that Linguaskill can help businesses "ensure their workforce has the skills needed to perform effectively, either through administering the test at the point of recruitment or for measuring skill levels among current employees to develop their ability through training." A downloadable brochure provides fee details, noting that the maximum amount students need to pay for training under the SCOPE programme is Rs 1,400.

It highlights that "Linguaskill is an internationally recognized exam and test for educational institutions," calling it a "globally accepted examination. It is a quick and convenient online test to help in checking the English levels of individuals." The site adds, "Linguaskill is a modular test, which assesses reading, listening, writing and speaking." This gives one the choice of which skills to assess. It provides fast and accurate results within 48 hours and is easy to administer. Results are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), the international standard for describing language ability. The reading and listening module is adaptive. A YouTube link showcases the programme.

Pointing to various activities undertaken by SCOPE for improving English language skills, the site lists events such as an essay and letter writing competition, inter-college group discussions, a webinar on the importance of technology to sustain in the professional world, e-quizzes on topics like the G20 Summit and the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, an open forum on ‘Does our technology connect us more or isolate us more?’, a seminar on ‘Beyond Education: How to Achieve Success in Career and Life’, and a workshop on ‘English Language and Communication Skills in Commercial Fields’.

Comments

Political misfires in Bihar: Reasons behind the Opposition's self-inflicted defeat

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The Bihar Vidhansabha Election 2025 verdict is out. I maintained deliberate silence about the growing tribe of “social media” experts and their opinions. Lately, these do not fascinate me. Anyone forming an opinion solely on the basis of these “experts” lives in a fool’s paradise. I do not watch them, nor do I follow them on Twitter. I stayed away partly because I was not certain of a MahaGathbandhan victory, even though I wanted it. But my personal preference is not the issue here. The parties disappointed.

New RTI draft rules inspired by citizen-unfriendly, overtly bureaucratic approach

By Venkatesh Nayak* The Department of Personnel and Training , Government of India has invited comments on a new set of Draft Rules (available in English only) to implement The Right to Information Act, 2005 . The RTI Rules were last amended in 2012 after a long period of consultation with various stakeholders. The Government’s move to put the draft RTI Rules out for people’s comments and suggestions for change is a welcome continuation of the tradition of public consultation. Positive aspects of the Draft RTI Rules While 60-65% of the Draft RTI Rules repeat the content of the 2012 RTI Rules, some new aspects deserve appreciation as they clarify the manner of implementation of key provisions of the RTI Act. These are: Provisions for dealing with non-compliance of the orders and directives of the Central Information Commission (CIC) by public authorities- this was missing in the 2012 RTI Rules. Non-compliance is increasingly becoming a major problem- two of my non-compliance cases are...

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Celebrating 125 yr old legacy of healthcare work of missionaries

Vilas Shende, director, Mure Memorial Hospital By Moin Qazi* Central India has been one of the most fertile belts for several unique experiments undertaken by missionaries in the field of education and healthcare. The result is a network of several well-known schools, colleges and hospitals that have woven themselves into the social landscape of the region. They have also become a byword for quality and affordable services delivered to all sections of the society. These institutions are characterised by committed and compassionate staff driven by the selfless pursuit of improving the well-being of society. This is the reason why the region has nursed and nurtured so many eminent people who occupy high positions in varied fields across the country as well as beyond. One of the fruits of this legacy is a more than century old iconic hospital that nestles in the heart of Nagpur city. Named as Mure Memorial Hospital after a British warrior who lost his life in a war while defending his cou...

Whither GIFT City push? Housing supply soars in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, not Ahmedabad

By Rajiv Shah A new report by a firm describing itself as a "digital real estate transaction and advisory platform," Proptiger , states that the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has been the largest contributor to housing units among India's top eight cities currently experiencing a real estate boom. Accounting for 26.9% of all new launches, it is followed by Pune with 18.7% and Hyderabad with 13.6%. These three cities collectively represented 59.2% of the new inventory introduced during the third quarter (July to September 2025), which is the focus of the report’s analysis.

Only one Indian national park rated ‘good’ by IUCN: Concerns over ecological governance

By A Representative Environmental policy expert Shankar Sharma has written to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and its affiliated institutions, expressing grave concern over India’s deteriorating ecological health. Citing the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s latest global review, which found that only Khangchendzonga National Park received a “Good” rating among 107 national parks, Sharma warned that the findings reveal a “serious concern for the overall health of the country’s flora, fauna, and environment.”

N-power plant at Mithi Virdi: CRZ nod is arbitrary, without jurisdiction

By Krishnakant* A case-appeal has been filed against the order of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and others granting CRZ clearance for establishment of intake and outfall facility for proposed 6000 MWe Nuclear Power Plant at Mithi Virdi, District Bhavnagar, Gujarat by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) vide order in F 11-23 /2014-IA- III dated March 3, 2015. The case-appeal in the National Green Tribunal at Western Bench at Pune is filed by Shaktisinh Gohil, Sarpanch of Jasapara; Hajabhai Dihora of Mithi Virdi; Jagrutiben Gohil of Jasapara; Krishnakant and Rohit Prajapati activist of the Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the MoEF&CC, Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and case is kept for hearing on August 20, 2015. Appeal No. 23 of 2015 (WZ) is filed, a...

History, culture and literature of Fatehpur, UP, from where Maulana Hasrat Mohani hailed

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Maulana Hasrat Mohani was a member of the Constituent Assembly and an extremely important leader of our freedom movement. Born in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh, Hasrat Mohani's relationship with nearby district of Fatehpur is interesting and not explored much by biographers and historians. Dr Mohammad Ismail Azad Fatehpuri has written a book on Maulana Hasrat Mohani and Fatehpur. The book is in Urdu. He has just come out with another important book, 'Hindi kee Pratham Rachna: Chandayan' authored by Mulla Daud Dalmai.' During my recent visit to Fatehpur town, I had an opportunity to meet Dr Mohammad Ismail Azad Fatehpuri and recorded a conversation with him on issues of history, culture and literature of Fatehpur. Sharing this conversation here with you. Kindly click this link. --- *Human rights defender. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/vbrawat , X @freetohumanity, Skype @vbrawat

Mergers and privatisation: The Finance Minister’s misguided banking agenda

By Thomas Franco The Finance Minister has once again revived talk of merging two or three large public sector banks to make them globally competitive. Reports also suggest that the government is considering appointing Managing Directors in public sector banks from the private sector. Both moves would strike at the heart of India’s public banking system . Privatisation undermines the constitutional vision of social and economic justice, and such steps could lead to irreversible damage.

Search This Blog