Private schools oppose NCERT proposal to make Kannada third language

The Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka, based in Bengaluru, has formally submitted a representation to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) chairman opposing a recent note that proposes teaching Kannada as a third language.

The private school association pointed out that this proposal directly contradicts the state's established legal mandates. They cited the Kannada Language Learning Act, 2015, which strictly governs language education within Karnataka.

According to the association, the 2015 Act makes it mandatory for all schools in the state to teach Kannada as either a first or second language. By suggesting that Kannada be relegated to a third language option, the NCERT proposal runs contrary to the statutory requirements that schools are legally bound to follow.

The opposition from the private school managements highlights the conflict between national educational guidelines issued by the NCERT and the state-level legislation enacted by Karnataka. The association has called on the NCERT chairman to review the note and ensure that any national guidelines respect the legal framework established by the Kannada Language Learning Act, 2015.