Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar said on Thursday that basic computer and English language test of 25 marks each will soon be made mandatory under the common entrance test for recruitment of teachers in the State.
Speaking to reporters, he said the government has made English language teaching compulsory from class one to 10 in its schools. Computer education is also imparted to the students. Hence, basic knowledge of English language and computer is necessary for those aspiring teachers job. Amendment will soon be brought to the cadre and recruitment rules for this purpose, he added.
Besides, the Primary and Secondary Education department has decided to make it mandatory for newly recruited teachers to serve at least 10 years in a district. One has to serve initially three years in the same school where the appointment is made, he said.Presently about 28,000 posts of teachers are vacant in the State. The process for recruiting 11,000 teachers has commenced. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has given his nod to recruit another 5,000 teachers. The government has decided to fill up all the vacant posts by the completion of its term, he added.
‘No hasty decision
’Ratnakar said the government will not take any hasty decision on a proposal to introduce public examinations for class five and eight students. The proposal is only aimed at assessing the performance of students. The assessment will not be linked to the students’ promotion to higher classes.
Public debate will be allowed on the proposal. The government will take appropriate decision based on the opinion of all the stakeholders, including parents, he added.On medium of instruction, the minister said the State government has been holding talks with other states in an effort to build a consensus.
Many state governments have responded positively. The only solution to the issue is an amendment to the Constitution of India. The Karnataka government will soon meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and submit a memorandum in this regard, he added.
