Revanna for Eng medium in primary schools

Days after Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah expressed his opposition to the government’s proposal to introduce English medium education from primary classes in government schools, PWD Minister H D Revanna batted in defence of his brother Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, on Monday.

“If the children of Revanna can study in English medium schools, shouldn’t the underprivileged too have access to such schools? I support the move to start English education in government schools. Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah should discuss the matter with intellectuals and take a call on the same,” he said, while speaking to reporters on Monday.

Revanna said that Siddaramaiah may have taken exception to the move due to fears that the importance of Kannada language might threatened, if English is introduced as a medium of instruction.

“English medium of instruction should start from primary schools. I will demand the chief minister for implementing the same. Is it okay if only the rich study in English medium schools? Shouldn’t the children of daily labourers and the poor be extended the same privilege?” he said.

On December 27, Siddaramaiah opposed Kumaraswamy’s move to offer English education in 1,000 government schools, which had signalled yet another divide between him and the latter on governance issues.

In a series of tweets he had said that the government should have a clarity on imparting Kannada as a language and Kannada as a medium of education. “Kannada was the medium in which I studied up till high school. Am I stupid? Kannada should remain the supreme language in Karnataka,” he had said.

Kumaraswamy had announced that the government would be starting English education in 1,000 government schools in his July 5 budget.

The previous Siddaramaiah-led regime had introduced English in government schools, but only as a subject.