Mangaluru: The second pre-university examinations will begin in the district on Saturday and 37,337 students are scheduled to appear, according to the Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE). Officials also noted a shift in language preferences: Kannada enrollment fell and English continued to rise.DPUE data shows that Kannada registrations fell from 21,313 last year to 20,709 this year. English increased from 32,130 to 35,710. Hindi remains the third option with 10,712 registrations.
PU students must study two languages. Officials said the options vary depending on the institution: students in public universities usually opt for Kannada and English or another language, while those in aided and unaided universities generally prefer English first, followed by Kannada, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu or French.Jayanand Suvarna, principal of Govt PU College, Shakti Nagar, and president of Dakshina Kannada Pre-University College Principals’ Association, said English is clearly leading. “In the district, most students prefer English over Kannada,” he said.As for Hindi, Suvarna said only one public PU college in Balmatta offers the subject, so enrollment in government institutions is minimal.Officials added that while students follow a fixed first and second language structure till class 10, the PU course offers flexibility to choose languages other than Kannada or English, as permitted.Free transportationMeanwhile, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has announced free rides for second PU students starting Saturday. Students can avail the facilities by showing their admit cards in KSRTC buses.
