The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Bring in legislation to protect Kannada medium of instruction in schools'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 26, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Bring in legislation to protect Kannada medium of instruction in schools'

Staff Reporter

Writers seek legislation in this regard

BANGALORE: Writers have urged the Government to bring in legislation to preserve Kannada-medium of instruction in schools.

K. Marulasiddiah said here on Monday there was no opposition to the Government's move to make English a compulsory subject from 1st standard to 10th standard in all schools. But this should not be done at the cost of mother tongue, including Kannada. "It is in the mother tongue that students can be given a good foundation. English will come to their use while they opt for higher studies," he said.

Mr. Marulasiddiah said the Government should bring in legislation to make teaching of Kannada compulsory in non Kannada-medium schools, apart from making teaching of English compulsory in Kannada-medium schools. This had been done in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, he said.

Writer Ham. Pa. Nagarajaiah, who initiated the discussion at a function to release a book written by Malavalli MLA K. Annadani, expressed concern over the closure of Kannada- medium schools because of want of students. There was a need to teach English as a language and retain Kannada as medium of instruction, he said. This would help develop English in rural areas and increase the value of Kannada, he added. Earlier, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy released the book. He commended the work of Mr. Annadani in studying the culture, heritage, customs and the problems of Malavalli Assembly constituency and bringing them in the form of a book.

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