Bangalore: Managements of derecognised schools to stage protest

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Date:22/11/2006 URL:
http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/22/stories/2006112203980500.htm
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Managements of derecognised schools to stage protest

`Language policy should apply uniformly to all'

Bangalore: Managements of schools, which have been derecognised for
flouting the State's language policy, will hold a protest demonstration in
front of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's residence in the second week of
December. Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, Private Unaided
Schools Action Committee president Venkatachaliah N. termed the
Government's decision to close over 1,400 schools by the end of this
academic year "unfair" because the language policy did not apply uniformly
to all. While the Government had no control over ICSE and CBSE schools
which were "mushrooming in urban centres" and continued to teach in
English, how could the Government close down only schools attended by poor
children, he asked. Asked if the schools would comply if the Government
gave them permission to continue with the rider that they should teach
only in Kannada, Mr. Venkatachaliah said they would, provided it was the
rule for all.

His school in Kengeri had less than seven students when Kannada was the
medium of instruction for the first two years and the strength shot up to
88 when he shifted to English "under pressure from parents", he added.
Committee secretary H.R. Prabhu said there were not enough schools to
accommodate the seven lakh children who would have no schools if the
Government sticks to its order. Students, parents, teachers and
administrative staff of the schools are expected to participate in the
protest in December.

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