Malayalam made first language in schools

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State government has issued an order on Wednesday making Malayalam the first language in all schools across the state.  However, the order will not be applicable for students with Kannada and Tamil as their first language. They can study their mother tongue as the first language. However, they have to study Malayalam as the second language.   This will be applicable to oriental schools also. The extra period needed for studying Malayalam should be found either by reducing the period of lunch interval or by working after school time.  The State Government also decided not to reduce the duration of IT period as planned earlier.  Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan, while rising the issue during the discussions in the Assembly earlier in the day, criticised the move to reduce the duration of the lunch break. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in his reply said that the decision on making Malayalam the first language would be taken soon.