Tamil Nadu has issued an order directing Kannada medium schools in bordering villages of Erode, Krishnagiri, Hosur and Ooty to teach Tamil as the first language.
The order, which was issued on Friday last, will be applicable for 36 primary and middle schools, three high schools and two higher secondary schools in Talawadi near Chamarajanagar border in Erode district. Besides, Kannada medium schools function in Krishnagiri and Nilgiris districts.
The Tamil Nadu government has also appointed Tamil teachers required to teach the subject in the Kannada medium schools.
The newly-appointed teachers have been asked to report for duty from Monday. Upset by the move, a Kannada teacher said Kannadigas living near the border would lose the chance to learn their mother tongue.
While the children could be taught Kannada, the marks secured in the subject would not be taken into account. A teacher in Mysore said Karnataka which has a tri-language policy did not neglect Tamil in two Tamil schools run by it in Chamarajanagar. Hence TN must reciprocate the gesture.