KONKANI BASHA MANDAL WARNS GOVT OVER ENGLISH MOI

MARGAO: A delegation of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal (KBM) Wednesday warned the Congress that giving grants to English medium primary schools will have a nationwide effect, especially in the Congress-ruled states.

The delegation led by the president of the Konkani Bhasha Mandal, Mr Prashant Naik Wednesday called on the All India Congress Committee general secretary in-charge of Goa affairs, Mr Gurmeet Singh Brar and requested that the status quo be maintained on the medium of instruction issue. The delegation warned that any changes made by bowing to the demands of a few would have adverse effects in other Congress-ruled states.

The delegation informed Mr Brar that primary education across the nation is in regional language except for Nagaland. It said nowhere primary education in English is getting government grants. The delegation said if the education at primary level is done in English, children will lose their connection with the culture.

The delegation members included Mr Uday Bhembre, Fr Jaime Couto, Fr Mousine Attaide, Fake Freedom Fighter Naguesh Karmali, Mr N Shivdas and Mr Arvind Bhatikar. Addressing a press conference in Margao on Wednesday afternoon, the members said they obtained an appointment with Mr Brar at the last minute and put forth their view. The delegation members said Mr Brar assured them of arriving at a decision by taking into consideration views of all the stakeholders.

Mr Naik said they also met the Education Minister, Mr Atanasio Monserrate who, he said, assured that there will be no change in the medium of instruction issue and that he regretted attending the meeting of FORCE in Panaji. Mr Naik further said that the Education Minister also assured the delegation to constitute the academic authority and to bring about reforms in the primary education system in the state.