JOIN USTextbooks must promote India's cultural heritage, unity: Siddu
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday asked the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to make changes in textbooks, in a way that they promote the rich cultural heritage and unity of India.
“Children should be taught to respect other religions. We are a secular country,” he said, addressing thousands of schoolchildren during the 60th Karnataka Rajyotsava celebration, hosted by the (DPI) at the Kanteerava stadium. His remarks apparently come in the backdrop of the ‘growing atmosphere of intolerance’ in the country. The chief minister recalled the contributions of Bharat Ratna Sir M Visvesvaraya and Prof C N R Rao, who achieved great milestones after studying in government Kannada-medium schools.
Making a strong pitch for the promotion of Kannada in schools, he called upon the people to make their children study in regional language or mother tongue in primary classes. The choice of language in the higher and later stage of education was left to the individual’s choice, he said. He admitted that the quality of teaching and infrastructure in government schools were poor and said that his government was making continuos efforts to improve their status.
“We need English, but not at the cost of Kannada. For that matter, we need many more languages, including English. In tune with this, we have drafted the Kannada Language Learning Bill, 2015, which is awaiting the President’s approval, he said.
He announced that the government would provide a pair of sandals or shoes along with a set of uniform for free to each of the students in government schools. This is in addition to the mid-day meals.
Kimmane Ratnakar, Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education, said that the government had written to the Central government to provide free education to economically poor students in class 3 to class 10. Public Works Minister H C Mahadevappa, Mayor B N Manjunatha Reddy and Shantinagar MLA N A Haris were present.