Karnataka: Migrant students can begin with class 1 Kannada textbook

BENGALURU: Students from other states who join Karnataka schools between class 2 and 9 will get to learn class 1 Kannada textbooks. The board exams for Kannada for such a student will be in sync with the textbook he is studying.
Speaking at a session with Kannada teachers and principals of CBSE and ICSE schools of Bengaluru, commissioner of public instruction KG Jagadeesha said students can request a separate question paper and a circular will be issued in this regard.The teacher can take a call on how to train such a student while his peers learn textbooks of higher grades, he added.
In 2017, Karnataka made it mandatory for all schools in the state regardless of affiliation to teach Kannada either as first or second language. The schools must follow the textbooks prescribed by the education department. This academic year, students of classes 1, 2 and 3 are learning Kannada in accordance with the rule. The first batch of students will appear for class X board exams in 2027.
When teachers asked whether they are free to use ICSE Kannada textbooks for classes 9 and 10 and not what the state prescribes so as to prepare children for the boards, the education department said it will ask ICSE and CBSE by 2026 to align their class 9 and 10 textbooks or question paper to match with that of the syllabus prescribed in the state.
At the session held at Mount Carmel College on Friday, over 200 teachers were given an opportunity to raise concerns and issues they face. They pointed at differential salary packages for Kannada teachers and others, which is in practice in several schools in the city. They also lamented the fewer number of periods allotted to them and their struggles to do justice to the subject.
Some also cited instances of schools reprimanding them for speaking to students in Kannada. The department has asked teachers to write to them on ddpisouth@gmail.com or ddpinorth@gmail.com with names of the school so that they can take action. The teachers also requested the department to ensure textbooks are delivered on time.
A teacher from Delhi Public School said the government must consider making Kannada mandatory for teachers. Primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar said the department will seriously consider the suggestion.
“While several schools claim they follow the rules, they do not. Some do not have Kannada teachers. If they do, the teachers may not be given enough periods. If schools don’t follow rules, we know how to take action,” he warned.
Will discuss Tipu with CM
On the issue of the inclusion of lessons on Tipu Sultan in textbooks, Suresh Kumar said he had received the reports on the matter, adding, “I have to discuss it with the chief minister to take a decision on it.”