Kannada compulsory in all Karnataka schools, singing ‘Nada Geethe’ to be made mandatory

A circular making Kannada compulsory in all schools has already been issued.
Kannada compulsory in all Karnataka schools, singing ‘Nada Geethe’ to be made mandatory
Kannada compulsory in all Karnataka schools, singing ‘Nada Geethe’ to be made mandatory
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The Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka state government has made teaching Kannada compulsory in all schools, including CBSE and ICSE schools. 

The Times of India reports that a circular on this regard had been issued on May 10, that asked for Kannada to be taught in classes from 1 to 10 in all schools across all boards. 

The move, the report states, comes after the government set aside 5% jobs for state civil services, for aspirants who studied Kannada from Class 1 to 10. 

While the state schools have been teaching Kannada, most CBSE and ICSE schools did not have Kannada as a compulsory subject. But now, the schools will be required to compulsorily teach Kannada as the first or second language. 

Primary and secondary education minister Tanveer Sait told reporters on Thursday, that a circular on this matter has been issued to CBSE and ISCE schools already. 

Mandatory to sing Nada Geethe

According to reports, students of all classes across boards will now be required to sing Naada Geethe, the state anthem. 

Although the practice is already in place in state schools, it is not followed by many private schools, say reports.

“In many schools, during the assembly, children sing the national anthem and in some cases, even the school anthem. We have no objection to that. But we want schools to teach children to respect the land and its culture, and ensure that they sing the Nada Geethe too,” Tanveer Sait was quoted as saying by The Hindu

The circular will be issued once the pattern of singing the anthem is finalised by the Department of Kannada and Culture. 

Stress on regional language

Notably, the education department's circular to make Kannada compulsory in all schools across boards comes in the backdrop of several campaigns in the state, that fought the Hindi imposition. 

Pro-Kannada activists had taken offence to Namma Metro carrying signage boards in Hindi, and had lambasted the Centre's 3 language policy. Siddaramaiah had also said that such Hindi imposition will not be encouraged in the state. 

A few months back, the state of Kerala had also made teaching Malayalam compulsory in all schools across boards, from Class 1 to 10.

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