Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Sep 4: In an effort to attract more students to government schools, the state government has permitted bilingual teaching in Kannada and English medium from this academic year. However, the initiative has run into hurdles, with schools facing a shortage of teachers and incomplete supply of textbooks.
In Udupi, 70 schools and in Dakshina Kannada, 115 schools have been included under the scheme. Across the state, 4,134 government schools have been allowed to introduce English medium teaching alongside Kannada and other existing mediums such as Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, and Marathi. While some schools have already started classes, the government has not provided additional teachers or infrastructure, limiting its support to textbooks alone. Schools are expected to manage facilities and recruit teachers on their own.
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Officials said a few permanent teachers have been trained, but English-medium teaching has not taken full shape. Bilingual textbooks are being supplied to students enrolled in English medium, while Kannada-medium students will continue to receive books in Kannada. In some schools, however, all students have been shifted to English medium.
Textbook supply
Since the decision was made after the start of the academic year, the Karnataka Textbook Society had to print new bilingual textbooks based on fresh requests from DDPI offices. Around 1.20 lakh books have been printed for 4,134 schools, and some districts have already received their supply.
Teacher shortage
Government schools are already facing a shortage of teachers, and the bilingual initiative has added to the demand. Education committees (SDMCs) have urged the government to allow recruitment of additional guest teachers. In certain places, local communities and alumni associations have stepped in to appoint and pay teachers, but this is not possible in all schools.
No compromise on Kannada
Authorities clarified that Kannada medium will continue to exist alongside English medium. Textbooks will also be available in both mediums, and exclusive English-medium instruction is not permitted.
“We are supplying bilingual textbooks based on the demand received from schools. Some schools are yet to begin bilingual classes, and for them textbooks may reach later this year,” said Madegowda M P, managing director, Karnataka Textbook Society.