Team Herald
panjim: With the controversial Medium of Instruction (MoI) issue being raked up again with the declaration of the new National Education Policy 2020, the report submitted by a 17-member expert panel, almost a year and half back, is still biting dust.
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Educationist Bhaskar Nayak headed committee, constituted in 2016 to recommend the medium of education at primary level, had submitted its report with recommendation in January 25, 2019. Since then, the report is lying in the State Administration, with no decision taken on it whatsoever.
Speaking to HERALD, Nayak said that the recommendations were submitted in January, last year.
“I am not aware about the status of the report. The government would be in a better position to declare it,” he said, while preferring not to comment on the content of the recommendations. The report was submitted to Secretary Education Neela Mohanan, IAS. A 16-page report was placed before the govt.
After almost one and half year since its submission, the govt is yet to announce whether the report is accepted or not. Former Chief Minister (late) Manohar Parrikar’s illness followed by model code of conduct initially kept the issue on the backburner; while the incumbent CM Pramod Sawant completely neglected the issue.
While Mohanan remained unavailable for the comments, sources revealed that the report never came to the Directorate of Education for any comment or consideration till date.
“There is no clarity as where the report lies at present,” sources said adding that the recommendations of the panel have been kept under wraps.
The expert panel was constituted to recommend to the govt what is the best MoI at the primary level. The terms of reference of the panel was to study the entire system of grants to the aided primary schools and recommend steps for improving the standard of education.
Sources informed that the report focuses on the steps need to be taken to improve the quality of education at primary school level and points out lacunas in the existing education system.
“The government may look into the recommendations with regards to the standard of education, while trying to reform the sector, which is on the cards,” sources said.
Sources informed that the Education Secretary was not in a position to place the report before Parrikar, soon after its submission, owing to his poor health conditions. Parrikar died on March 17, 2019.
“CM Pramod Sawant was sworn in when the model code of conduct was in force. This was followed by political developments, IFFI, Budget and the coronavirus outbreak,” sources said, while adding that the Sawant-led govt had initially decided to continue with the current MOI policy, of giving grants to English Medium primary schools.
The State through a cabinet decision in 2014, continued grants to all 137 English medium primary schools, a move that had evoked mixed reactions from society.
