AIDSO alleges “bias” against Kannada students in bilingual assessment

The Mysuru district committee of the All India Democratic Students’ Organization (AIDSO) criticized the state government’s assessment system for bridge examinations in bilingual schools, saying it “discriminates against students who choose to write their answers in Kannada”.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, AIDSO district secretary Nithin claimed that under the evaluation framework introduced this academic year, students in bilingual government medium schools are awarded ‘A grade’ only if they answer in English, while those who write in Kannada are allegedly restricted to ‘B grade’ irrespective of the quality of their answers.

The organization questioned the way the bilingual media system was implemented, claiming the policy was implemented without adequate consultation with students, teachers, parents and education experts.

AIDSO argued that mother-tongue education forms a vital foundation for learning and argued that the government was ignoring views consistently expressed by language experts and educators in favor of strengthening mother-tongue education. She stated that students should be encouraged to learn and express themselves in their mother tongue.

Demanding immediate remedial action, the organization urged the government to withdraw what it called the “anti-educational, unscientific and undemocratic” assessment system and ensure that students have the freedom to choose Kannada as a medium of learning.

Published – 17 Jun 2026 0:48 IST