While strengthening the existing government Kannada schools in the state, English will be taught to students in the proposed Government Model Schools, minister for primary and secondary education BC Nagesh said on Wednesday. 

 

Speaking at an event on saving Kannada schools and propagating Kannada language, the minister said that the state intends to teach ‘Spoken English’ to primary school students. 

 

Nagesh said that the state had arrived at this decision based on the recommendations of renowned author S L Bhyrappa. 

 

This will be introduced in Kannada medium schools while also giving equal importance to learning the regional language, Nagesh clarified. 

 

“The government hopes to have one Model school in Hobli or Grama each. This has been announced in this year’s state budget. Dedicated classrooms for each of the classes is being envisioned along with dedicated subject teachers for every subject are being appointed,” the minister said. 

 

“A lot of parents consider private school education considering learning English as a primary factor. Irrespective of the standard of education, parents are keen on getting their children to learn English. In Karnataka Public Schools as well, parents are showing interest in ensuring their children learn English and demand for the same. We will introduce spoken English even in Model Schools,” he said. 

 

“Starting at the primary school level, textbooks are being printed in two languages for Mathematics and Environmental Science. On one side of the textbook, text will be printed on Kannada and on the other, it will be English,” he said “These will be introduced from classes 1-4. 

 

He said that the closure of Kannada medium government schools in large numbers proves the point. Out of 47,000 government schools, 3,800 schools have less than 10 students. There are 562 schools with one student, he said. 

 

The state government is also consulting experts on saving Kannada schools in the state.