Karnataka - Mysore   

Present schooling system beset with problems: Ananthamurthy

Special Correspondent

MYSORE: Jnanpith awardee U.R. Ananthamurthy has suggested introduction of neighbourhood school systems in the State to help provide quality education to all sections of society.

Addressing a seminar organised on sustainable living at Rangayana on Sunday, Mr. Ananthamurthy said priority for admission to neighbourhood schools should be accorded to students from the locality in which the schools were situated. This would facilitate students imbibe lessons in familiar surroundings, familiar language and environment all of which would help reduce drop out rates.

The existing system was beset with problems, said Mr. Ananthamurthy, who pointed out that children from the elite class got quality education for a hefty fee but the same was denied to students from poorer sections which resulted in imbalance in society. Neighbourhood schools was the solution to minimise such an imbalance, he said.

Expressing concern over the use of languages, Mr. Ananthamurty said English was earlier described as a window to learning but today people with a smattering of that language and neutral accent could earn up to Rs.20,000 a month at call centres but this was not sustainable though some may call it development, Mr. Ananthamurthy said.

Launching a broadside against the Government, Mr. Ananthamurthy said change of Government did not lead to change in policies and the forces of globalisation continued its march.

Linguist Lingadevaru Halemane earlier spoke on social issues and said society had become inure to social evils. Despite incidents such as farmers' suicides and mass murder of children at Noida, nothing seemed to stir the people who had become passive. He attributed this to the growing influence of urbanisation and said it was a cause for concern as the future of the children was at stake.

Among those present were Rangayana director Chidambara Rao Jambe and writer Devanur Mahadev.

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