Efforts on to offer Tulu as optional subject in more schools in coastal dists

The Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy and department of Public Instruction are making all efforts to increase the number of schools offering Tulu as an optional subject to 40 in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts during the academic year 2017-18. 

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 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 initially. However, with the efforts of the Academy, there has been increase in the number of schools offering Tulu.

Speaking to DH, Tulu Sahitya Academy registrar Chandrahas Rai said, “At present, 20 schools in Dakshina Kannada offer Tulu as an optional subject. Our target is to double the number of schools and we have already spoken to school authorities, who have responded positively towards introducing Tulu as an optional subject.”

Stating that only one school in Udupi district has been offering Tulu as an optional subject, he said that the Academy is expecting three to four schools to join the league during the academic year. “We have already held discussions with the two schools in Mulki and one in Bajagoli region to start the subject this academic year,”  he said.

A total of 313 children have written SSLC exams during 2016-17. The first batch of SSLC had only 18 students of Pompei High School, Mangaluru, writing Tulu as an optional subject.

The Academy pays honorarium for the teachers who teach Tulu in the schools. “Only after the number of schools and number of children opting for Tulu as an optional subject increase, then we can place demand before the government to appoint honorary teachers to teach Tulu in schools,” he said.

Tulu in PU

Rai said the Academy has written to the state government to introduce Tulu at PU-level to promote Tulu language. Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Tanveer Sait has asked the PU Board to submit a report on the pros and cons of introducing Tulu at PU level.

The life story of Hajabba, who sold oranges to eke out living and built a school at Newpadupu, has been introduced as a lesson for eighth standard. His relentless effort towards the betterment of children has brought him several laurels.

No certificates yet

Meanwhile, the Mangalore University directorate of correspondence courses had conducted diploma course in Tulu in 2016. Over 40 students who had passed the course are yet to get certificate for the diploma, even after a year of completing the course.

“These diploma holders can be considered for teaching Tulu in schools as they have fairly good knowledge on the subject,” said Rai.