25 students to appear for optional Tulu paper in SSLC exam this year

With the efforts of the Tulu Sahitya Academy and the Department of Public Instruction, the number of schools offering Tulu as an optional subject has increased in the last few years and 25 students are writing Tulu as a third optional language paper in SSLC examinations this time.

Tulu was introduced as a third optional language for Class 6 in 2010-11 and Class 7 in 2011-12; for Class 8 in 2012-13 and Class 9 in 2013-14. The first batch of students wrote Tulu language as a third optional language paper in the SSLC examination in 2014-15.

The response to the introduction of the language as the third optional in undivided Dakshina Kannada was lukewarm. However, this year, a total of 25 students are writing Tulu as a third optional language during SSLC examinations.

In the first batch of SSLC students, 18 students of Pompei High School, Mangaluru, had written Tulu as an optional subject and passed in the exam. This year, all the 25 students who will write Tulu examination in SSLC are from three schools in Puttur, of which two are English medium schools. Those who will write Tulu as an optional subject are 10 students from Ramakunjeshwara English Medium School, Ramakunja; 11 from Kaniyoor Pragathi English Medium School and four from Kaniyoor Pragathi High School.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Tulu Sahitya Academy Registrar Chandrahas Rai agreed that there has been an increase in the number of students opting for Tulu as an optional subject. The total number of students writing Tulu as an optional subject next year will reach 140, he added.

Rai said, “Motivational programmes will be organised by the academy for students to opt for Tulu as a third optional subject next year. We have already held meetings of the headmasters and block education officers (BEOs) of Bantwal, Belthangady, Mangaluru and Udupi taluks to motivate schools to introduce Tulu as an optional subject. During this academic year, a total of 267 students opted for Tulu as an optional subject. This includes 102 students in the eighth standard and 140 students in the ninth standard.

The students are studying Tulu as an optional subject in Kabaka Government High School, Kombettu Government PU College, Papemajalu Government High School, Uppinangady Government PU College, Ramakunja Ramakunjeshwara English Medium School, Pragathi English Medium School, Kaniyoor, Pragathi High School and Pompei High School, Ladyhill.”

There was a good response for Tulu during the year in Puttur BEO, initiating the Tulu Siri programme to create awareness among schools to introduce it as optional subject for the academic year.