CET may relax norm for non-Karnataka students

The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) is planning to do away with the compulsory Kannada test in Common Entrance Test (CET) for non-Karnataka students, who have studied in Kannada medium schools from Class 1 to 10, from this year onwards. 

At present, it is mandatory for these candidates, who have applied for seats under the Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga quotas, to take a Kannada language test to be eligible for selection.

“The authority intends to revise the rule with effect from CET 2010. We have sent a proposal to the government in this regard. Once we get the approval from the ministry concerned, the change will be introduced in this year's CET brochure,” said an official in the KEA, who did not want to be named.    

“There are several Kannada medium schools in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. The students from those schools will definitely know to read and write Kannada. If we make them to take the Kannada test, it will be a waste of time both for them and us,” the official added.

The issue was discussed at a recent meeting of the legislative committee headed by council chairman Veeranna Mathikatti.

An official in the education department, who attended the meeting, told DNA, “Currently, we are providing this relaxation for candidates from border areas like Kasargod. Now, we are planning to extend the facility to candidates from other places like Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad also. It’s our duty to give them the relaxation even though they don't hail from the state.”

According to KEA officials, nearly 400 candidates from other states get seats for professional courses in the state through the CET.