Karnataka amends language policy

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Karnataka amends language policy

BANGALORE, Oct. 7.  In a sudden turnaround, the JDS-BJP coalition
government today decided to make the teaching of English compulsory in all
primary schools in the state from the next academic year.

The move comes a few days after the government deferred its decision to
de-recognise schools using English as the medium of instruction,
particularly those that had obtained permission after 1994 under its new
language policy. According to Mr Basvaraj Horatti, minister for primary
and secondary schools, English will now be taught in all government and
private schools from first standard, beginning June 2007.  He said that
the government had made learning of Kannada compulsory for students. The
order would cover English medium schools as well. Likewise, linguistic
minorities, which were teaching Kannada as an optional subject from third
standard, would have to fall in line with this. SNS

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=2&theme=&usrsess=1&id=132307

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