Prof E.Suresh Kumar, Registrar and head of the department of English, Osmania University, has come out in support of the move by the Union ministry of human resource development to replace German language with Sanskrit in Kendriya Vidyalayas. He has also expressed his opinion on a few other issues in an interview with Express. Here are excerpts:
What is your view on the recent decision by the MHRD to replace German language with Sanskrit in KVs?
I support the government’s decision to introduce Sanskrit language in KVs. All our regional languages have emerged from Sanskrit, so it should be taught at schools. It gives one a feel of belonging.
Do you say removal of German from the curriculum is right?
No. I don’t mean that. I only support introduction of Sanskrit. But it doesn’t mean German language should be removed. According to my opinion, even German should be included in the curriculum along with Sanskrit if the provision allows it.
You teach English. Why do you think that Sanskrit should be taught in schools?
Though I teach English, I studied mostly in the Telugu medium. I learnt English only in my Masters. So I think it is not hard to learn English but Sanskrit language will be forgotten if it is not taught to the current generation. We should not forget that Sanskrit is the root of all our languages.
But many say that Sanskrit language doesn’t provide as many job opportunities as foreign languages do. Do you agree?
I don’t agree with that augment. Learning a language alone will not earn any job for you. To get a good job, you must learn the skills and the subject of your field. Learning an additional language will only help use your talent at many places.
But the government wants to make the changes in the middle of the academic year. Do you not think it will affect the academics?
Yes, any big change in the middle of academic year will impact the studies. It should have been done in the beginning of the academic year.
Do you believe that learning in mother tongue is better than learning in English?
Teaching in mother tongue is fine up to high school. But learning through English medium is important in higher studies. To grab the opportunities in the fast- developing world, we need to learn English. At the same time, we should also remember our culture and our languages.