Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad   

`Parents force children to learn English'

Staff Correspondent

State-level children's literary conference inaugurated

HUBLI: Writer and "Sammelanadhyaksha" of the Fifth Akhil Karnataka Makkala Sahitya Sammelana (State-level Children's Literary Conference) Na. D'souza said on Saturday that parents are "snatching away the mother tongue from children" to make them learn English language.

The conference has been organised jointly by "Gubbachchi Goodu", Dharwad, Karnataka Rajya Makkala Sahitya Vedike, Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation and Dharwad Zilla Panchayat at the Poornachandra Tejaswi Vedike.

Mr. D'Souza said parents were committing a mistake by forcing children to learn a foreign language even before the child learnt his or her mother tongue. "A child can grow through its mother tongue. It is through the mother tongue that a child can express itself better and experiment with it. The parents should first understand this aspect. Let them teach their children any language. But before that let them allow their children to get a thorough understanding of their mother tongue," he said.

Mr. D'souza said children's literature in Kannada had been neglected by the State Government. Although the demand for a Children's Literary Academy had been a long pending one, it had still not materialised. Inauguration

Earlier, nonagenarian vocalist Gangubai Hanagal inaugurated the conference. She said she was happy to be in the company of brilliant children.

Editor of "Gubbachchi Goodu" highlighted the need for establishing the "Children's Literary Academy" for encouraging creativity.

Veteran journalist Patil Puttappa said the language used in Kannada texts meant for primary schoolchildren was complex. He said language meant for children should be simple and fun.

Veteran poet Channaveer Kanavi underscored the need for modifying primary education system. Instead of making them learn lessons by rote, it should encourage creativity.

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