Paving the way for compulsory learning of Malayalam in schools in the State, the Assembly on Wednesday passed the Malayalam Language (Learning) Bill, 2017.
Among other things, the Bill provides for compulsory learning of Malayalam from Class I. From the next academic year, Malayalam will become compulsory for Class I. The year after that for Class II and so on till standard X.
Education Minister C. Ravindranath told the Assembly that there was no question of imposing Malayalam on anyone. He was replying to concerns raised by some MLAs about the impact of the Bill on schools for linguistic minorities.
The medium of instruction in schools for linguistic minorities would continue to be what it is today. Only thing, such students would also have to learn Malayalam. A special textbook would be crafted for the use of such students. Similarly, a special textbook shall be crafted by the SCERT for use in CBSE and ICSE schools for standards IX to X.
Any deficiency in these schools in the teaching of Malayalam would be made good. For instance, if there aren’t enough teachers in oriental schools and schools for linguistic minorities to teach Malayalam, posts would be created to fill the lacunae. For students in Kerala’s schools, the learning of Malayalam is not just the learning of another language. It is also learning about the culture and a doorway to immense possibilities.
MLAs cutting across party lines had criticised the title of the Bill which originally read Malayalam Language (Compulsory Language) Bill. This, the members argued could be seen as thrusting Malayalam on students in the State.
