Tulu does not get preference'

Mangalore, April 5: Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy president Paltady Ramakrishna Achar said parents prefer their children taking Hindi although the children were interested in learning Tulu as the third optional language in class 6.

On the other hand, some teachers told The Hindu that learning Hindi was the need of the hour.

In the competitive world, it was Hindi which would help students when they grow up and not Tulu. Hindi would help them have broader exposure and not Tulu. Mr. Achar said in many schools children opted for Sanskrit leaving Hindi.

Same teachers and parents who object to Tulu did not object to Sanskrit in place of Hindi. He said in Belthangady taluk where Vishwa Tulu Sammelana was held and Moodbidri which had emerged as a centre of cultural activities, the Department of Public Instruction had not shown interest to teach Tulu in schools. The respective Block Education Officers (BEOs) were least bothered in this regard, he alleged.