Karnataka - Bangalore

Managements of derecognised schools to stage protest

Special Correspondent

`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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