Act against Kannada schools teaching in English medium, says S.R. Gunjal

Taking strong exception to schools that have taken permission as Kannada medium schools but imparting education in English, ‘sarvadhyaksha’ of 17th Dharwad Zilla Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, veteran librarian, and writer S.R. Gunjal has demanded punitive action against such schools.

Taking strong exception to schools that have taken permission as Kannada medium schools but imparting education in English, ‘sarvadhyaksha’ of 17th Dharwad Zilla Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, veteran librarian, and writer S.R. Gunjal has demanded punitive action against such schools.

Delivering the speech of the ‘sarvadhyaksha’ (president) during the inauguration of the sammelana at Karnatak Vidyavardhaka Sangha in Dharwad on Monday, Mr. Gunjal urged the government to immediately file criminal cases against the management boards of 1,416 such schools.

While the question of the medium of instruction at the primary level was still being debated, many schools were violating government regulations for financial gain, he said.

Mr. Gunjal said that the High Court’s verdict against education in the mother tongue had undermined the essence of primary education in Karnataka. “The concern that English poses a threat to Kannada at the primary level is not a mere illusion but a reality. Learning English is not a crime; in fact, it is essential. However, learning through Kannada or one’s mother tongue until the fourth grade strengthens the foundation of Kannada language and culture,” he said.

Emphasising the need for implementing the D.M. Nanjundappa Committee report, he also stressed the need for immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Baragur Ramachandrappa-led committee on education and administration.

Mr. Gunjal also demanded implementation of Ashok Chandargi’s report on improving border schools without any further delay.

Lamenting factionalism among writers, he said they should rise above such divisions and foster relationships beyond selfish interests and prejudices.