JOIN US'74 pc schools' nod to start Tulu as optional subject'
“We have already conducted a survey and assessed the interest among the schools to take up the mission. Government has also been approached in various ways for its approval,” he told press persons here on Saturday.
“Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has shown his personal interest in the issue, and has assured of taking steps after discussing the same with the Minister for Education. Even textbooks are ready, which have been approved by the Directorate of State Education Research and Training (DSERT) in the previous Academy chairman’s term itself,” he said.
The proposals to introduce Tulu and Konkani in schools had been sent to the government simultaneously, but only Konkani was successful in getting the approval, he added.
“The introduction of Tulu in schools will be a supportive point in including the language in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution. We are hopeful of getting the government’s nod at the earliest,” Dr Achar said.
He added that there were proposals of four languages before the Central government for inclusion in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution, and Tulu was one among them. “The government gave green signal to include other three languages into the VIII Schedule; Tulu was not considered,” he regretted.
Tulu Bhavan
Answering a query, the Academy Chairman said the project of Tulu Bhavan did not progress due to shortage of funds.
“About 50 cents of land has already been allotted near Kottara for the Kannada and Culture Department which may be used for the Tulu Bhavan project, but finance is the key issue. As a government body, we are not free to collect funds from the private donors,” he said and added that the government has been appealed to permit to accumulate funds.
Tulu convention
Dr Achar said Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade has plans to host a Vishwa Tulu Sammelan in the third week of December, in which the Academy too will play an active role.