KVS opposes Marathi TET rule

Dharwad: The Karnatak Vidyavardhaka Sangha (KVS) has strongly opposed the Maharashtra govt’s reported decision to require Kannada-medium teacher candidates to appear for the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) in Marathi, describing the move as unconstitutional and detrimental to Kannada education.In a statement issued after a special executive committee meeting, the sangha alleged that the decision violates the norms of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) and is a deliberate attempt to weaken Kannada education in Maharashtra.The organisation pointed out that Karnataka allows candidates from Marathi-medium schools to take the TET in their mother tongue and urged Maharashtra to adopt a similar policy instead of making Marathi compulsory for Kannada-medium teacher aspirants.Warning that the decision could trigger strong protests by Kannadigas if it is not withdrawn, the sangha criticised the Maharashtra govt for ignoring representations made by the Karnataka govt on the issue. The sangha urged the Karnataka CM and education minister to intervene immediately and take up the matter with their Maharashtra counterparts to ensure justice for Kannada teachers and students.It also appealed to the Union ministry of education to intervene and resolve the issue at the earliest.