Kasargod: Protests are intensifying in border areas of the state dominated by linguistic minorities alleging that Kerala state government’s language policy was proving detrimental to the students’ future in Kannada medium schools.
The Department of Education has issued an order on July 23 to cut down two teachers’ posts in Pallikere Kikanam Ramachandra Rao Government Higher Primary School which has a strength of 156 students thus fuelling protests.
Linguistic minorities took part in a programme to oppose the government’s decision, which they feel is due to the pressure exerted by private school managements and state’s language policy. Some allege the decision came after a relative of an officer linked to education department started his own private school in the vicinity.
Protestors led by Kanhangad Block Panchayat President M Gauri lit 110 lamps in the 110 years old school as a mark of protest.
Citing technical reasons, the government has reduced the number of teachers’ posts under Right to Education Act, protestors alleged. The future of students will be affected by the government’s decision and even parents will be put to lot of hardship, they alleged.
To make matters worse, there are no other Kannada schools near Kikanam area where Kannadigas reside mostly.
Members of School Guardian-Teachers Association, School Development Committee and citizens took part in the protest to save the Kannada medium school which has a 110-year-old history.
