From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Feb 7: Karnataka is firm on its decision of making Kannada as the compulsory medium of instruction in primary education (from Class one to five) in the State, declared Chief Minister Siddaramiah in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Distributing prizes to students, who secured highest marks in SSLC and PUC by writing examinations in Kannada, the chief minister said a Cabinet decision has been taken to amend the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009 for imparting the primary education in mother tongue that is Kannada.

Siddaramaiah said Bharat Ratna awardees such as Sir M Visvesvaraya and C N R Rao had studied primary education in Kannada medium and excelled in their fields.

It was the wrong impression among parents their wards would perform poorly in their careers if they study primary education in Kannada medium, he said.

Jnanpith awardee Dr Chandrashekar Kambar, who was the chief guest, said that a delegation led by him would call on President Pranab Mukherjee on February 21, which is observed as International Mother Language Day, and submit a memorandum on the necessity of imparting primary education in mother tongue.

Cash prizes, a wrist watch, a certificate and a bag had been given to 357 students of Bengaluru division who had secured highest marks by writing in 10th and 12th standard examination held in April last.