Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy to introduce Tulu for 8th std

TNN

Mangalore, 15 May 2011: Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy is all set to introduce Tulu as an optional language for eighth standard on trial basis from the next academic year. The Academy, which has already introduced Tulu for sixth and seventh standard has plans to print about 8,000 text books, titled Tulu Esal 3, which is specially designed by the Tulu text book committee. 

 

In 2010-11, the Academy had distributed 12,000 each copies of Tulu Esal-1 and Tulu Esal 2 for sixth and seventh standards to 538 schools in Dakshina Kannada district. However, the government could not print the text books on time and the students had received books in the last week of September. 

 

Academy registrar Chandrahas Rai told STOI that the syllabus for Tulu text books was prepared based on the guidelines of the Department of State Educational Research and Training (DSERT) by the text book committee, which is headed by Academy chairman Palthady Ramakrishna Achar. The committee also gave special emphasis to national education policy while designing the curriculum, he said. 

Academy chairman Achar said that the text book for eighth standard is expected to reach by June 15 this year. The speciality of the Tulu text book of standard 8 is that it introduces ancient Tulu script to students. In addition, the book also contains chapters on birds in Dakshina Kannada, history of Barkur, Basel Mission, Nethravati River and the development of cities. Opting Tulu is not a problem for students in Dakshina Kannada as majority in the district know the language. Moreover, it is easy for students to learn Tulu as Kannada script has been used in the text books, he explained. 

 

Many schools in the district have shown interest in introducing Tulu as optional language. However, the problem before the Academy is to train the teachers. Currently, Tulu has been introduced only in government and aided schools, he said adding the Academy has plans to introduce it in private schools in future.