The Hindu : Front Page : Kannada till class 5, English from 6?

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Kannada till class 5, English from 6?

Special Correspondent

Government schools may go in for change in medium of instruction

Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri

Bangalore: Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri on Saturday said that the Government was thinking of introducing English as the medium of instruction from standard six in government schools in consultation with writers and academics.

He said the Kannada would remain the medium of instruction from standards one to five. Teaching students in English would enhance their communication skills and help them in higher education and while seeking employment.

Stating that the Government would not take a unilateral decision on the matter, Mr. Kageri said the decision would be implemented only if there was no dissent from writers and academics or any other section of society. There was a demand from the public to introduce English as the medium of instruction from standard six, he said.

Addressing presspersons here on Saturday, Mr. Kageri appealed to MPs, MLAs, MLCs and members of all local bodies to visit any State-run school on July 5 to create awareness about the implementation of the Right to Education Act and chalk out measures for improving the quality of education.

He said elected representatives and old students should visit schools and discuss academic activities and share responsibilities to improve the quality of education. The representatives should also inspect facilities available, he said.

Besides government authorities, school development monitoring committees and parents should also take on the responsibility of implementing the Right to Education Act and imparting quality education. The department would send invitations to elected representatives about the July 5 programme. The department had printed a three-page brochure about the programme and the Right to Education Act.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has agreed to visit one government school on that day. The MLAs and others could visit any school that they wanted to, he said.

32 schools closed

Hassan Staff Correspondent writes:

With more parents preferring English-medium schools, the Department of Public Instruction has closed down 32 government primary schools in Hassan district this year owing to lack of students. According to the rules, schools with less than five students should be closed. Therefore, 11 primary schools were closed in Belur taluk, ten in Hassan taluk and five in Holenarsipur taluk. In Channarayapatna and Sakleshpur taluks, three schools each were closed. Deputy Director of Public Instruction A.T Chamaraj said that people's preference for private English-medium schools was the main reason for this situation.

“Private schools provide vehicles to pick up and drop students. They also provide attractive uniforms and shoes. Moreover, people feel that their children will have a bright future if they study in private schools,” Mr. Chamaraj said.

At the same time, there has been an impressive response from parents to the 41 new government English-medium schools opened this academic year. In Vani Vilas Government Primary School in Hassan city, 22 students were admitted this year. The State Government started three English-medium schools in Arsikere taluk, two in Alur, five in Hassan, five in Sakleshpur, 11 in Channarayapatna, six in Belur, five in Arkalgud and four in Holenarsipur taluk.

Mr. Chamaraj said that specially trained teachers had been deputed to these schools.

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