Strictly following state's language mandate: Top school

Rithu Dravid | NT

Bengaluru: The Kannada Development Authority (KDA) has served a notice to the management of Sophia High School, Bengaluru seeking an explanation over allegations of plans to drop Kannada as the second language from eighth grade onwards.

In response to the notice issued by KDA, the allgirls school has responded clearly stating that they have implemented and following the State government’s Kannada Language Learning Act (2015), which mandates- that schools in Karnataka should compulsorily teach Kannada as the first or second language.

The language controversy has sparked off a debate based on certain allegations circulated on social media followed by media reports that said, the school was approached with a request from a group of parents to discontinue teaching Kannada as the second language.

However, the management has dismissed this request stating that the school adheres to Karnataka's language mandate effectively without any flaw or irregularities in teaching the Kannada language.

According to a press statement issued by the institution, it informs that the school has been teaching Kannada language as part of its academic curriculum to its students in compliance with the government's rule and regulations.

All contrary allegations/ statements that have been published on social media platforms are not true. The school will continue to follow guidelines laid by the government.

The Principal of the school, Sr Alpana, says, “We have followed the government’s rule on the language policy and have not deviated from that. All the allegations on this are false and wrong”. The school has effectively implemented the language policy, and it stands as an example of adherence without violations.

The school has been following the prescribed curriculum, textbooks and interactive teaching methods, to enable its wards to excel in language learning and fluency in Kannada.

Several pro-Kannada activists have flagged the school's alleged efforts to drop teaching Kannada and have threatened to stage a protest in front of the school in this regard.

The top school, an all-girls institution has students from the age groups of three to fifteen along with children with special needs. The school has sought special protection from the police department for the safety of its wards.