Kannada shines in border villages

KARWAR: The border villages in Karwar taluk might be dominated by Konkani communities but the thriving of Kannada medium primary schools will reassure any Kannadiga concerned about the language. A visit by journalists to some of these villages on Saturday proved that the heart of the region dominated by farming and fishing communities, most of whom are poor, still beats for Kannada. Till last decade, there was a craze for Marathi medium schools in these villages. But the situation has changed now following aggressive campaign for Kannada medium schools through Sarva Shikshana Abhiyana. Significantly, the quality of education in Kannada medium schools has improved to a great extent. Parents today understand that the future of their children lies in sending them to Kannada schools, Banavalikar opined. These schools have been showing good results. Students of lower primary school in Arjunkot village, which has a large population belonging to labour class, have fared well in the examinations. Satish  Lokesh Gowndar, a student from poor background, has been selected for Navodaya school, said Kamakshi Naik the head mistress of the school.