No shutdown of Kannada schools: Siddaramaiah

The state government would not close down Kannada schools even if the number of students is less, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday.

The state government would not close down Kannada schools even if the number of students is less, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday.

After inaugurating a state-level Rajyotsava celebrations organised by the Department of Public Instructions in the city, Siddaramaiah said: “We are committed to the development of Kannada at all levels. The number of students does not matter to us. We will not close down Kannada schools.”

With this decision, the present government has withdrawn an order issued by the previous BJP Government to close down schools if they have less than 10 children. “Kannada is our first priority and the government is taking all measures for upgrading government schools across the state. We need to bring our schools to the level that they should attract everyone,” Siddaramaiah said.

“The number of non-Kannadigas is increasing in the state and we should create a situation where even non-Kannadigas should realise that they cannot survive in Karnataka without learning Kannada,” he said.

On the medium of instruction in schools, the Chief Minister said: “There is no objection to learn other languages, including English, but Kannada should be our medium of instruction.”

People should understand the difference between a language and a medium of instruction, he added.

Siddaramaiah said the government is bound to implement the Sarojini Mahishi report. “As the report is submitted in 1986, we need to amend some issues. The Kannada Development Authority has given its report in this regard and the process is on,” he said.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com