
Karnataka High Court gives state 3 weeks to reply in mandatory Kannada case
It refers to a previous High Court order which stayed similar government orders mandating Kannada in degree courses, and cites a clarification by the Union of India that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 does not support imposition of any language.According to the petitioners, these enactments violated the students' rights to choose their first, second and third languages. They also argue that the enactments could negatively impact academic outcomes and future employment opportunities as well as threaten the livelihood of teachers who teach languages other than Kannada.The petitioners also claimed that the enactments exceeded the scope of the Karnataka Education Act, 1983, especially Rule 6(1) of the NOC Rules, which they claim wrongly applies to CBSE and CISCE schools.The petitioners have clarified that they do not oppose Kannada being taught, but object to its compulsory imposition, which they argue violates constitutional principles.The court, said the Live Law report, has not granted interim relief at this stage. It has also issued notices to both the state and central governments.- EndsMust Watch
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Hans India
13 minutes ago
- Hans India
‘K'taka must fully implement new State Education Policy'
Bengaluru: The Kannada Development Authority has welcomed the State Education Policy recently submitted to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, describing it as a landmark framework that could reshape school and higher education over the next decade. The policy, chaired by former UGC chairman Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat, was prepared by a commission of eminent scholars and educationists over two years, holding 132 meetings and conducting extensive data-based studies of Karnataka's education landscape. 'This is the first time Karnataka has such a comprehensive and forward-looking State Education Policy. If fully implemented, it will radically transform our schools and universities and prepare our younger generation for the challenges of a modern society,' said Prof. Purushottam Bilimale, Chairperson of the Kannada Development Authority. Key recommendations include improving the quality of teaching and learning, ensuring equal opportunities and participation, revising curricula, textbooks and evaluation methods, addressing inequities caused by privatisation, filling teacher vacancies within three years, tackling funding shortages in higher education, and promoting constitutional, civic and human values from the school level. The policy also addresses the medium of instruction debate, long contentious in multilingual India. It recommends a bilingual approach with Kannada and English, while allowing communities to study their mother tongues as first languages. 'What makes this policy significant is its balance — it ensures Kannada remains central to education while respecting linguistic diversity. It is not exclusionary, and could serve as a model for the country,' Prof. Bilimale explained. Special measures have been proposed to set up language training centres, translation hubs, and strengthen Kannada under the 2015 Kannada Learning Act. The framework also acknowledges the rights of Urdu and other linguistic minorities to retain their languages while mandating Kannada as either a first or second language. Calling it 'a game-changer for Karnataka,' Prof. Bilimale urged the government to implement the recommendations fully rather than selectively. 'The comprehensive nature of this policy is its greatest strength. If the government acts decisively, Karnataka's education sector can emerge as a national model,' he said.

The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Karnataka to set up 6,500 public and 5,000 nursery schools: Minister
The State Government will establish 6,500 Karnataka Public Schools and 5,000 nursery schools in the next few years, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Madhu Bangarappa said on August 17. 'All the Karnataka Public Schools will have classes from 1-12 in English and Kannada medium. One Karnataka Public School will come up in each gram panchayat. The nurseries will provide rural students with the advantage of pre-school training,' he announced at the inauguration of a new school building of the Government High School in Chabbi village near Dharwad. 'It seems to me that the decades-long demand of the people of Chabbi has come true. I always believe that the sound of the school bell ringing should be louder than that of the temple bell in a village. That will lead to all-round development,' he said. He said the government of Karnataka is trying to address the issue of teacher shortage. 'For the short term, temporary teachers are being appointed. Regular teachers will be appointed soon,' he said. As many as 25,000 pre-university students are being trained for NEET and JEE exams free of cost, he said. District In-charge Minister Santosh S. Lad said that before independence, India's average literacy was 20% to 25%. 'Today, we have achieved about 75% literacy. That is because of the continued focus of successive governments and public expenditure,' he said. 'We are facing several critical situations in the country today. There is a report that says over 93,000 schools have closed across the country, and around 87% of youth are struggling to find employment. We have to face these facts and find solutions,' he said. He urged children to follow the ideas of Buddha, Basavanna and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said a plan to paint over 1,100 schools at a cost of ₹60 crore in Dharwad district is underway. 'This high school has been constructed with a special grant for Chhabbi village. The Union Government is giving increased emphasis to education. 'About 400 schools have been built under CSR grants. Over 31,600 desks have been distributed. As many as 106 anganwadis, toilets and canteens have been built. More than 200 smart classes have been opened,' he said. Basavaraj Horatti, Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council, said everyone should join hands for the development of the country. Former Chief Minister and Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai said he had noticed a demand for a high school when he was camping in the village, along with former minister R. Ashok. He demanded that the government of Karnataka take up recruitment of teachers on priority. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok hoped that Chabbi village gets a government college too. MLA M.R. Patil, officers and others were present at the event.


Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Kolhapur circuit bench inaugurated, CJI hints at permanent division bench
MUMBAI: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai on Sunday inaugurated the Bombay High Court's new circuit bench in Kolhapur district, calling it a step towards 'cost-effective and time-bound justice' for litigants from south Maharashtra and the adjoining regions of Goa and Karnataka. Kolhapur circuit bench inaugurated, CJI hints at permanent division bench The new bench will be functional from today (August 18), with jurisdiction over six districts—Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, Solapur, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. It will consist of a division bench comprising justices MS Karnik and Sharmila Deshmukh, and two single benches of justices SG Dige and SG Chapalgaonkar. The division bench will hear matters, including public interest litigations, civil writs, appeals and criminal cases, while the single benches will separately handle criminal and civil matters. CJI Gavai said he had long supported the demand for a bench in Kolhapur, first voicing his backing at a legal education camp in Sindhudurg. 'Before my eyes are the thousands of people from our borders with Karnataka and Goa who are litigants before the Bombay High Court. This step is for cost-effective and time-bound justice,' he said. The CJI also linked the move to the ideals of Dr B R Ambedkar and Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj. 'Dr Ambedkar had received a scholarship from Shahuji Maharaj for his studies in England and ₹3,000 to establish Mooknayak. Shahuji always stood by the Dalits, promoted education, and supported their businesses. I have been deeply influenced by his fight against caste oppression,' Justice Gavai said. Reiterating that the Kolhapur bench should eventually be elevated to a permanent division bench, CJI Gavai urged Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe to send a proposal soon. 'I still have more than three months left as CJI, and that is not a small period. Justice Aradhe can send the proposal and I will be in a position to approve it,' he said. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was present along with deputy CM Eknath Shinde, recalled that Justice Gavai had earlier described Kolhapur's demand for a bench as justified. 'If there is any right for the HC bench of Kolhapur, Justice Gavai has mentioned it,' said Fadnavis. Justice Gavai also acknowledged other demands, including for a hostel for young lawyers from the six districts who will now practice in Kolhapur. He praised the Public Works Department for swiftly constructing a court building 'true to Maratha architecture' to house the new bench. On the oft-repeated demand for a bench in Pune, however, the CJI was cautious. 'The demand is due to Pune's growing advocates wanting more work. We must think about litigants also and not only advocates,' he said, adding that a similar scepticism had once surrounded the Aurangabad bench, which has since proven itself. The Bombay High Court currently has benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) and Goa, apart from its principal seat in Mumbai. The Kolhapur circuit bench will be its fifth.