From this academic year Tulu will be an optional language for Class IX students and the textbooks will be available in a fortnight, Karnataka Textbook Society managing director Y T Gurumurthy told Express.
The government printing press in Bangalore is almost ready with the order, Gurumurthy said and added that this time the office of Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) has asked for a few thousands books.
Sources in Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy claim that last year the indent was for 28,000 copies.
Subject Inspector in Education Department Mudnal told Express that only a few taluks had placed orders for Tulu textbooks.
Moodbidri, Mangalore North and Beltangady taluks in Dakshina Kannada district and Udupi district did not place order this year, thus showing no inclination to patronise or popularise the language in schools.
During a discussion on future of the language at Academy chamber, a parent had reportedly recently pointed out that though the children were willing to learn Tulu, most parents were not keen on replacing Hindi with it.
Academy Registrar B Chandrahas Rai had recently passionately stressed on the importance of teaching Tulu in schools across the state as it was one of the eligibilities required for including the language in Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
