A concerning literacy gap has emerged in Koppal district, where thousands of schoolchildren are unable to read and write in Kannada, the state’s official language. This alarming discovery was made during recent inspections by education department officials at local government schools.
The issue was highlighted at a meeting aimed at boosting Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) exam results. MLC Hemalatha Nayak revealed that a survey found over 7,000 SSLC students struggling with both Kannada and English literacy, leaving parents anxious as examination dates approach.
To tackle this crisis, teachers have resorted to teaching the basics—starting with the Kannada alphabets “Aa Aaa, Ee, Eee” and English ABCs—to prepare students for their upcoming exams.
In rural areas, many parents, working as daily wage laborers or vegetable vendors, prioritize earning a livelihood over their children’s education. Consequently, children are often taken to workplaces instead of school, leading to irregular attendance. Teachers have admitted such children to government schools, but ensuring consistent attendance remains a challenge.
Ramesh Badiger of Kinnal village expressed concern over the lack of parental support for education, citing illiteracy and the immediate need for income as primary reasons. He urged teachers to refrain from promoting students to higher classes without adequate learning.
MLC Hemalatha Nayak addressed this issue during the recent Belagavi session, appealing to Primary and Secondary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa for swift intervention. While the minister assured action, no substantial measures have been implemented so far.
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