MARGAO: Hundreds of parents from Margao and its outskirts gathered at the Lohia Maidan and held a candlelight march, moving towards the Chief Minster’s residence, short by few meters, in support of their demand for recognizing of English as the medium of instruction in primary schools.
"With this candlelight march, we want to enlighten the government in the dark world, that democracy is basically a majority of people’s demand, and not of small crowd," said secretary of Forum for Rights of Children’s Education (FORCE), Mr Savio Lopes.
Mr Lopes demanded with the government to call for a cabinet meeting to clear the air on medium of instruction and expose those not in favour of recognizing English as the medium of instruction. He also rent the air by saying ‘Children from Pernem to Ponda, do not worry you will be taught in English.’
Loyola teacher, Ms Sandra Desa said that the Goa Education Rules of 1986 are similar to the Delhi Education Rules of 1983, both provide for English medium of instruction in the child’s mother tongue with an option to choose the language; there are no rules that state that grants should not be given to English-medium schools.
FORCE has stated that the actual demand of the parents, specifically with regard to aided primary schools is that English should be permitted as the medium of instruction besides Konkani or Marathi or regional language, according to the parents’ choice and that Marathi or Konkani should continue as one of the compulsory subjects throughout elementary education.
FORCE is looking forward to call on Congress party’s new Goa desk in-charge Mr Gurmeet Singh Brar on May 7. Mr Savio said that it is the next step of FORCE.
I salute FORCE finally for showing they mean business and bringing pressure on the government. Yesterday's candle lit vigil was a perfect and the support of the people was fantastic. We have to maintain means of protest to keep the issue always glowing hot. Again I will say Cheers to FORCE! Lets finish the job before the academic year starts.
ReplyDeleteThis CM is just a puppet who cannot even decide the colour of his toothbrush and without any power in his hands. The very fact that so many gun wielding policemen were posted near his residence inspite of the fact it was said it is just a vigil shows his cowardness to see the people from his own constituency. We cannot expect anything from him. Long live the Parents Movement. Long Live FORCE and lets show them we can get what we want.
ReplyDeleteFORCE – you have shown the true meaning of the Word, unlike that stupid BBSM whoever the hell they are they even chickened out when they had to have meetings in salcete, My Fellow Goans is Salcete the only strong hold of the “True Goan” come on out support Goa as a Single Unit, not only for now but for Generations to come that will help Goa be the Goa for Goenkars….
ReplyDeleteThis is called Freedom by the Freedole Eaters. Hell with Cowmuth governance that is not for Goans. Every decision is taken from Madam delhi. The worst CHOR Cabinet Goans ever had in the whole history. These people called Goan Legislators are only good to loot Goa and for nothing.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a Big Shame on the Part of the Goa Police to be Detaining or Arresting Parents who are asking for a right to Education for their Children, why were BBSM People not given the same treatment? Is the Government so bias? Is BBSM created by the Government themselves? Seems like it... We will fight and we will WIN......
ReplyDeleteSome MLA’s are coming now to Support? For what? Where were they earlier? Now just because they realize they want to be on the Winning side that they decided to change their colors and Support FORCE? And oh yeah the Elections are round the corner as well? Is it?
Children should be given a good grounding and foundation in English.This is because it has to be learnt and is not spoken automatically .Konkani & Marathi is widely spoken in Goa, at home and around the enviroment.As they are languages that are spoken daily and not "rarely", children pick these up much quicker than English.
ReplyDeleteEnglish as many "normal " and "Common sensed" people confirm, is a language that will be most used in work and beneficial employment sutuations.
Many Indian Companies use english as a medium of trade and communication, Nationally & Internationally.
Should children fail to meet language criteria in obtaining jobs, it will not be the State of Goa that will be shouldering the burden.It will be the parents.
If Democracy is for the people, of the people and by the people, than the request of the parents is paramount.Many languages in India co-exist.Why shouldn`t English.
The BBSM is an ugly organisation made up of failed and back-ward looking people.
Naguesh Karmail purely makes noises to justify his undeserved Freedom Fighters Pension.If he was subjected to a strict qualification for his pension, he would fail, as his claim to have been a freedon Fighter has been shown to be dubious.It seems like anyone these days can claim to be a Freedom Fighter.There is no criteria or proof required.Just some hearsay and forged documents.
Shasihkala Kakodkar again is another failed human species.Having failed politically & also in her Married life, she craves for love and attention from any source or any agenda or any controversial topic.
Uday Bhembre again is a failed MLA & Editor.He is desperately trying to put a shine on his lost esteem & respect.So now he has jumped on the MOI bandwagon to rattle his tail.He is a failed "has-been"
As for Digamber Kamat, he does not know left from right.No doubt he will only know where his views and beliefs stand,after a trip To the Goa desk In New Delhi.
Kamat is no inspirational Chief Minister.he thrives on sucking the blood of Goans in favour of migrants, and, feeding- off & taking lessons from,the non- Goan advisors at the Goa desk.
It seems we now have a native of the Punjab, visiting Goa,telling us Goans, what is good for us....as if we do not know.