Kannada as first language: Karnataka govt. to write to CBSE, CISCE
- The State government has decided to write to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) directing them to ensure that affiliated schools introduce Kannada as the first or second language in accordance with the law. This decision was taken by the Department of Primary and Secondary Education at a meeting with private school managements earlier this week.
- The Kannada Language Learning Act, 2015, mandates that all schools in the State teach Kannada either as the first or second language. However, one and half years after it came into effect, CBSE and ICSE schools are yet to fall in line. A majority of the State board schools have complied with the Act.
- Currently, schools have to pay a penalty of only ₹500 if they have not started teaching Kannada as the first or the second language. While the second language teaches the language in a more detail manner, the third language teaches the basics of the language.
