The Hindu : Karnataka News : Tulu in some schools shortly

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Friday, Oct 12, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Tulu in some schools shortly

Raviprasad Kamila

However, there will be no examination in the subject

MANGALORE: After waiting for long without positive response from the Government for its proposal to introduce Tulu as the third optional language from sixth standard, the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy has planned to go ahead on its own. The academy is considering introducing Tulu in private schools in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi from this month end or from November. However, there will be no examination for students in this language.

The academy’s plan has come at a time when the Government has approved Konkani as the third optional language for sixth standard from this academic year. Some schools introduced Konkani in the curriculum recently. The academy has planned to print 500 Tulu textbooks (for sixth standard) as the draft textbook, which has 15 lessons, is ready.

The language will be introduced in eight or 10 private schools. This is to assess the reaction of students and the response of schools to Tulu, M.K. Seetharama Kulal, president of the academy, told The Hindu. It will be introduced in those schools after this mid-term vacation, he said.

Months have lapsed since the Department of State Education Research and Training (DSERT) recommended to the Government that Tulu can be introduced as the third optional language in schools. But the State Cabinet has not approved the proposal yet. The academy could have introduced it in schools from 2007-08 academic year itself, if the State Cabinet had approved the proposal. The language cannot be implemented in government schools and government-aided schools. Examination also cannot be conducted as there is no approval.

A 13-member committee formed by the academy had approved the draft textbook. It had been prepared according to the guidelines of DSERT.

The textbook has a lesson on Salu Marada Thimmakka who has dedicated her life to saving trees.

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