Pics by Hemanath Padubidri

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi(SM)
 
Udupi, Jul 23: Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) opposing the ‘State government’s decision to allow compulsory English as a medium of instruction from sixth standard in government schools in the state’, staged a protest in front of the clock tower, near service bus stand here on July 21.

2000 year old legendary language Kannada is slowly losing its value because of the new education system by the government. 96 year old KSP before and after independence fights to keep Kannada rituals ever green and has now reached to the ultimate exrent such that not only the KSP members, but also writers, poets, intellectuals and Kannada sangha and samsthe came together in the protest.

The concept of uniform pattern of education has remained a distant dream all these years and seems to remain the same forever although the state has used it as its motto.

Government and policy makers have failed to understand the intricacies of educating kids in the mother tongue. At present Kannada language is in a bad condition and there is need for an integrated approach by the government towards promoting Kannada language as a medium of instruction.

Udupi Kannada Sahitya Parishath president Neelavara Surendra Adiga said that it is committed to promote Kannada language as a medium of instruction. Kannada language is made scapegoat against the fondness for English language.

Recently 10,000 Kannada medium schools have been shut down saying that there are insufficient students, if the situation continues to arise the Kannada medium schools will be destroyed. Above all, getting 345 schools for compulsory English medium as instruction from sixth standard is the worst part he added.

English could be a subject not a medium for the student he insisted.

H Shantharam Ital, Mahalaxmi Nagarathna , V H Bhat, Uppangala Ram Baht were present in the protest.