BANGALORE: Terming the recent Government order on introduction of English as a compulsory subject from first standard "incomplete", former Ministers and Congress leaders Basavaraja Rayareddy and C.S. Nadagouda have urged Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to convene a meeting of writers, linguists, leaders of Kannada organisations and others to discuss the issue.

Mr. Rayareddy and Mr. Nadagouda told presspersons here on Saturday that the Government might face problems in implementing the order. It was silent on aspects such as infrastructure, teaching faculty and financial implications. The order was not "pragmatic", they alleged.

There were 60 lakh students studying in 27,017 primary schools across the State. The strength of teaching staff in these schools had been estimated at 2.53 lakh. The growth in the software and biotechnology sectors had its impact on the language policy. According to an estimate, the software export potential of the State was likely to touch Rs. 1 lakh crore by 2010 and the number of software professionals to achieve the projected target was likely to reach eight lakh. Introduction of English from first standard was imperative from this point of view as that language was essential for the success of the software industry. In this view, the Government should create infrastructure and mobilise resources for the effective implementation of the order, they said.

The Government should withdraw the "short sighted, unscientific and incomplete" order and issue a new one after holding discussions on it, they said.

Differing with the Government's stand, Mr. Rayareddy said English should be included in the list of subjects for examinations from first standard and not from third standard. Kannada should be taught compulsorily from first standard irrespective of the medium of instruction, he added.

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