A strategy paper will be prepared to make Telugu compulsory in all schools including the Kendriya Vidyalayas. The state government has, in principle, decided to introduce Telugu as a subject up to Intermediate in all schools and junior colleges irrespective of their medium of instruction.

A decision in this regard was taken during a highlevel meeting between Official Language Commission chairman Mandali Buddha Prasad and school education minister Dr S. Sailajanath along with officials of the
education department.

The departments concerned would come up with a strategy paper covering various issues like making Telugu a compulsory subject at all levels and in all schools including those controlled by the Centre like Kendriya Vidyalayas. “The KVs are supposed to teach the respective state’s language,” the minister said.

Later, speaking to mediapersons, Dr Sailajanath and Mr Buddha Prasad said officials had been asked to work out the
modalities to ensure that Telugu as a subject was taught right up to Intermediate, and a final decision would be taken after obtaining approval from the Chief Minister.

Mr Buddha Prasad said the government had also been considering introducing Telugu culture and art as subjects to ensure that the Telugu language and culture was passed on from generation to generation. Another important decision taken at the meet was that students who took Sanskrit as second language should write the exam in “Devanagari lipi” (Sanskrit script).
Students who took Sanskrit at the SSC level would only be allowed to take the subject as a second language in Intermediate. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting between Official Language Commission chairman Mandali Buddha Prasad and school education minister Dr S. Sailajanath along with others. The decision was taken in view of students opting for Sanskrit to secure high marks despite not knowing the language and writing the exam in either English or Telugu.