Horatti Urges Karnataka Govt to Retain Three-Language Formula, Citing Student Future and Teacher Livelihoods
BENGALURU: Basavaraj Horatti, the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Council, has formally petitioned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to maintain the state’s long-standing Three-Language Formula. In a detailed statement, Horatti expressed grave concerns over recent policy shifts that favor a bilingual approach and the introduction of a grading system, arguing these changes could systematically disadvantage Karnataka’s students on a national stage.
National Competitiveness and Career Mobility
Horatti emphasized that language is a vital tool for cognitive development and national integration. By diluting the study of a third language—specifically Hindi—the Speaker warned that the state is inadvertently creating barriers for its youth. “The Three-Language Formula, as recommended by the Kothari Commission, ensures our students can communicate effectively across the country,” Horatti stated. He pointed to the challenges faced by Karnataka’s own Members of Parliament in New Delhi as a cautionary tale of how a lack of linguistic proficiency can hinder effective representation and career progression.
The “Grading” Controversy and Student Performance
A central point of Horatti’s opposition is the transition from numerical marking to a grading system for the third language. He countered the narrative that students struggle with the subject, citing that over 17,900 students recently scored a perfect 100 in Hindi—a feat unmatched in most other subjects. According to the Speaker, these marks are essential for boosting a student’s overall aggregate. He argued that moving to a “pass/fail” grading system demotivates high achievers and undermines academic merit.
Protecting 15,000 Educators
The Speaker also highlighted a looming socio-economic crisis for educators. He noted that approximately 15,000 Hindi teachers in government, aided, and unaided schools face potential unemployment if the subject is marginalized. “We cannot allow the lives of thousands of teachers and their families to be pushed to the streets due to a policy shift,” Horatti remarked, urging the government to treat vocational courses (NSQF) as an elective rather than a replacement for language studies.
A Call for Immediate Action
With the next round of examinations scheduled for March 31, 2026, Horatti called for an immediate reversal of the grading policy to prevent a negative impact on student morale. He concluded by urging the Chief Minister to uphold the constitutional spirit of “fraternity through diversity” by ensuring Kannada, English, and Hindi remain the core pillars of the state’s educational framework.
