Kannada activists stage protest

Oppose govts decision on English medium in state-run schools

Litterateurs and pro-Kannada activists staged a protest in front of district in-charge minister S A Ramdas’ office here on Monday slamming the government’s move to start English-medium in government schools.

They condemned the government’s move to start English-medium from sixth standard in 341 government schools.

While the government is providing Kannada-medium from first to fifth standard, the move to introduce English-medium in sixth standard is plan by the education department to forego the state language.

The protestors expressed their displeasure at the department’s move despite opposition to it by elected representatives such as Siddaramaiah and S A Ramdas.

Government schools lack classrooms and teachers. If same teachers are used for teaching in English-medium classes, then Kannada will take a back seat. The government has implemented free and compulsory education, but it should also ensure that Kannada is used as the medium from first to eighth standard.

C P Krishnakumar, K S Bhagwan, Horeyala Doreswamy, P Mallesh, S R Sudarshan, M B Vishwanath, Taayur Vittalamurthy, S V Mallikarjun, Siddalingaswamy, Venu and others were present.