Naina J A/DHNS

Mangalore, Jul 18: The Department of Public Instruction is not yet ready to introduce Tulu as a third optional language for Class VI from this year, although primary schools re-opened nearly more than one and half months ago. Though the draft of the textbooks are ready. It is yet to go for printing. 

Karnataka Tulu Sahithya Academy President Dr Palthadi Ramakrishna Achar said the draft of the textbooks have already been sent to DSERT. It is upto DSERT to send it for printing. “We do not know why there was a delay in printing. In the first phase, we have asked for printing 8,000 textbooks. If there was demand, we can print more later,” he said.

“If the printing gets delayed, then it will be delayed in introducing Tulu as optional language. We will wait for a week. If its delayed still, then we will meet the Ministers concerned,” he added.

In fact, it was a long cherished dream when the government issued an order on March 26 to teach Tulu as the third optional language from the sixth standard. However, it hurts to know that the authorities concerned have failed to print the textbooks, he added.

The draft of the syllabi was prepared at a meeting in Puttur on May 14. The Department of State Education Research and Training (DSERT) had convened the meeting. It was attended by the members of an advisory committee and textbook committee set up by the Government for teaching Tulu along with the DSERT representative. 

According to the preamble of the March 26 order, the Government has so far allowed teaching Konkani, Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Hindi, Kannada and English as the third optional language in schools in the State.

BEOs meeting

DDPI Chame Gowda said that two private schools in Mangalore City have asked for Tulu textbooks to teach Tulu as third optional language from VI standard. “All the BEOs have been asked to collect details on number of students who would like to study Tulu as third optional language. In fact, BEOs meeting have been convened on Monday to get the information on number of students who are willing to study Tulu as optional language.”

While the textbook is not yet ready, the department is not clear on who should teach Tulu language.

“We have also not given any guidelines as who will be teaching Tulu. In most of the cases, it may be taught by the Kannada teachers. However, not all the teachers are fluent in Tulu in government schools. Moreover, many teachers are from outside Dakshina Kannada district.”