Kolkata/IBNS: Loreto College, one of the oldest prestigious educational institutes of Kolkata, has apologized after its 'English Medium Only' undergraduate admission policy sparked a widespread debate.

The 111-year-old Catholic women's college, which is affiliated to the University of Calcutta (CU), had earlier announced an admission policy for undergraduate students for 2023-24 session, shutting its doors to the students coming from non-English medium background.

"All lectures at Loreto College are in English. Hence, fluency in English is very essential for a student to be able to understand/follow classes. The student must also be able to express herself freely in English to enable her to do well in her written work/viva voce. This applies to all subjects except Hindi and Bengali," the notice issued by Loreto College read.

"Examinations will have to be answered only in English. Our reputed Open Shelf Library has only English reference/text books and journals for all subjects other than Vernacular Bengali and Hindi," it added.

The college located near south Kolkata's Park Street area, in its notice, also recommended that the candidates hailing from 'vernacular medium' schools opt to study in institutions where the medium of instruction is bilingual.

"Students whose medium of instruction in class XII was the vernacular will not be considered for admission," Loreto College wrote in bold letters in its admission notice.

This 'English Medium Only' policy of Loreto College triggered a huge backlash and it was criticized by educationists as well as general people.

The University of Calcutta (CU), which affiliates this college, on Monday also criticised the college's decision as it goes against the CU's 'Education For All' policy.

The university had also called Loreto College's principal Christine Coutinho to appear at the CU for discussion.

According to reports, the principal discussed the matter with CU officials on Tuesday where she apologized for the controversial policy and promised to revoke it.

Later in the afternoon, Loreto College authority published a fresh notification revoking the controversial 'English Medium Only' admission policy with immediate effect.

"Loreto College, Kolkata, has a rich legacy of service and all-round education for over 100 years in Bengal. The recent admission policy notice does not reflect the values we cherish. It is an unintended error from our side," the college wrote in the new notice.

"Loreto College, Kolkata, unconditionally apologizes to the people of Bengal and revokes the said admission policy notice with immediate effect. We recommit ourselves to serving all of Bengal as we have always done," it added.

Meanwhile, the CU has asked the college authority to publish another merit list as the Loreto College has already published its merit list based on the 'English Medium Only' admission policy.

"Loreto College has to publish a fresh merit list based on the 'corrected' policy, keeping the existing merit list, which was published based on the controversial admission policy," a senior CU official told IBNS.

"The college authorities have agreed to do so and unconditionally apologized for their previously declared 'English Medium Only' admission policy.