'SC, Centre should take a stand on language policy'

State wants more powers to regulate functioning of ICSE and CBSE schools

Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri said that there was no change in the State government’s stand on the issue but added that this was a great opportunity for the Supreme Court and the Central government to take a clear stand on the issue.

The apex court dragged the Central government into the issue after a public interest litigation was filed by eminent Kannada litterateurs, including Jnanpith awardee U R Ananthmurthy. The court is scheduled to hear a special leave petition on the issue in the last week of August.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Kageri said both the Union Home and Law ministries should come forward and make a clear statement during the hearing. The minister also reiterated that the State government will request the Centre to give it more powers to regulate the functioning of ICSE and CBSE schools in the State.

‘Stick to Flag Code’

Meanwhile, Kageri called for the strict adherence of the Flag Code during the flag hoisting ceremonies at schools for Independence Day.

He said that only the chairmen of School Development Monitoring Committees (SDMCs) or in their absence, the Headmasters can hoist the Tri-colour in Government schools. And similarly, according to a notice issued by the department, the flag hoisting in Junior Colleges must be done by the principals. The decision comes in the wake of several goof-ups in the hoisting ceremonies including the flags being hoisted upside-down.

 The minister also announced to the press that a total of 12,341 teachers from primary schools, high schools and junior colleges were transferred for academic year 09-10. He said that the counselling system which was used for the first time was a great success and had ensured complete transparency in the transfers.