Author: P Pavan
Publication: Mumbai Mirror
Date: October 28, 2009
Introduction: Makes them go around school
with slates around their necks saying 'I never speak Telugu'
Two Std III students of a missionary school
in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh were made to go around the school with
slates hanging around their necks, saying "I never speak Telugu"
for speaking in their mother tongue.
The State Government ordered a probe after
advocates of Telugu raised a hue and cry.
The children are students of St Joseph's English
Medium School in Mydukur. Their mothers were very upset on seeing the punishment
when they went to school on Monday noon to serve them lunch.
Tehsildar Subbarayudu and mandal (block) education
officer Sukhavanam rushed to the school and admonished the authorities.
The school management apologised to the parents.
The incident kicked off a debate on English medium schools insisting against
speaking in the mother tongue.
On Tuesday, School Education Minister D M
Varaprasada Rao ordered a probe and said, "If the management is at fault,
we will cancel the school's recognition. If a teacher or principal is responsible,
he/she should be removed."
A group of people working for the protection
and promotion of Telugu (Telugu Bhasha Parirakshana Samithi) petitioned the
State Human Rights Commission demanding respect for the language.
Just a week ago, CM K Rosaiah had said his
government would consider earmarking a portfolio just for the official language,
on the lines of neighbouring Karnataka. "The incident happened when I
was not present in the school. We never insult any other language, while trying
to encourage the students to speak in English. I myself am a Telugu and I
love my mother tongue. We are taking all steps to ensure that such incidents
do not recur", said school correspondent Father Prabhakar.
