Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 30: State minister for primary an secondary education, Tanveer Sait, said that government schools in the state will begin to teach English to their students from first standard itself commencing this academic year. Noting that proposals to teach English from first standard onward were being mooted frequently since 1988, Sait said that in view of this persistent demand, 5,400 teachers have been provided with training in English and their services would be utilized to  teach English to students from first standard itself.

He said that the department has come to know about some incidents of students being denied admission under Right to Education Act in certain private schools. He stressed that the concerned would be acted against. The minister stated that shifting to the new regime of Goods and Services Tax with effect from July 1 this year will in no way affect the functioning of government educational institutions or text books. At the same time, he said there might be some affect on private educational institutions and government treasury.

Recalling that Value Added Tax, when introduced, had encountered stiff opposition, he observed that there have been opponents to GST too. "However, in the interests of country's development, GST is a good move," he opined.

Tanveer, who launched a verbal tirade on former minister and MP, H Vishwanath, who has decided to cross over to JD(S) because of differences with the chief minister, explained that Vishwanath was compromising with high principles of politics in joining JD(S). He said he had not tried to appease Vishwanath, and advised the senior leader to exercise control over his tongue, duly criticizing the latter for comparing Siddaramaiah with epic, Mahabharat's villainy character, Dushshasan. He felt that it was also not proper to  feel that 'Ahinda' classes suffer from insecurity just because someone leaves Congress.

Expressing his support to Pejavar Swamiji for organizing Iftar party in Srikrishna Math premises, in response to a question, he welcomed the gesture of the Swamiji, adding that respecting religious beliefs of others is a good development.