'Govt committed to constructing hostels for children'

The fascination for private schools has led to the closure of many Government Kannada medium schools, said Minister for Backward Classes Welfare C Puttarangashetty.

He was speaking after inaugurating silver jubilee celebrations of Shreemathi Ningamma Bommayya Government High School at Bettagere in Mudigere taluk on Friday.

“Parents are not keen to send their children to Kannada medium schools due to their love for English medium schools. Thus affecting the enrollment of students in government schools.”

He said that the state government was committed to constructing hostels for children if the officials concerned conducted a survey and submitted a report on the requirement of hostels in a particular area. The government has been providing financial assistance to students under Vidyasiri Yojane. The government is also providing financial assistance to students to pursue their studies abroad, he added.

The minister said through education one can ward off corruption. He appealed to parents to enrol their children into Kannada medium schools.

Silver Jubilee Celebration Committee Honorary President and former minister B B Ningaiah said that 51 government Kannada medium schools in Mudigere taluk had been shut down. “How do you preserve the Kannada language, if Kannada medium schools are being closed down?” he asked.

“The love for Malayalam in Kerala has helped to save the language in Kerala. However, Kannadigas are behaving like they do not take pride in their language. Kannadigas should come forward to protect Kannada medium schools from being closed down,” he said.

He appealed to the minister to release grants to construct 13 classrooms in Shreemathi Ningamma Bommayya Government High School.

Former MP D B Chandre Gowda, former minister Motamma and others were present.