Date:13/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/13/stories/2007091353620500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Policy on Kannada in high schools upheld

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday upheld the policy of the Government in making Kannada compulsory for high school students studying State syllabus, including migrant students.

Justice B.S. Patil passed the order while dismissing a petition by Manasa V. Prabhu, a student of Infant Jesus School in Bolur, Mangalore. Manasa, a student of the 10th standard, had challenged a May 25, 2006 notification issued by the Commissioner of Education making it mandatory for high school students taking up State syllabus to study Kannada as a subject.

Manasa said she is the daughter of a marine engineer and that she wanted to opt for Alternate English. However, she was told that she could not avail herself of Alternate English and that she would have to compulsorily study Kannada.

The notification had said that if high school students shifted or opted for the State syllabus from CBSE or ICSE, they would have to compulsorily study Kannada as a subject and that they could not avail themselves of Alternate English as a subject.

The court accepted the argument of the Government advocate that there is nothing wrong in imposing Kannada as compulsory subject at high school-level for all students, including migrant students.

Mr. Patil dismissed the petition and upheld the policy.