Samrudhi Gaurish Kudchadkar
Having read about the extraordinary efforts and pain taken by the parents of Goa to ensure that their children are educated in English medium primary schools, I wonder, is it really worth it? I wonder, has anyone bothered to practically compare the progress or academic achievements of these English educated kids vis a vis kids educated in a Konkani medium primary school, at a later stage of their lives? I bet, the result of such a survey will provide all the answers to the parents of Goa who are, at present, engulfed by some kind of a trance to ferry their tiny tots, miles away, for education in a English medium school.
Which language does a tiny tot think in? Which language does he use to express his thoughts and feelings? Which language can help him to blossom into a fearless, outspoken and confident personality? Obviously, it is his mother tongue… Learning in a Konkani medium school ensures that the child learns in an environment which is culturally similar to his own home environment. This helps in confidence building and personality development, which is the essence of primary education…
Why then is such a mad rush for education in English medium today? My experience says, it is merely because these parents live in an illusion that “speaking good English” is all that matters for being a successful person.
This is the only reason a cobbler, a snack vendor or a truck driver ferries his kids all the way to an English medium primary school where the poor child finds himself engulfed by a totally foreign culture, foreign environment, which boggles him down. His personality and self confidence suffers a blow, which is extremely difficult to overcome at a later stage. Off course there may be exceptions.
I belong to a family of professionals. Every child in our family for last two generations has obtained primary education in regional language only and every member is well settled today. I am a Chartered Accountant and so is my brother. My husband is a lawyer and all of us have studied in Marathi medium primary schools.
I have been in the merit list at Secondary, Higher secondary as well as Graduation level. I have secured 1st rank in State of Goa at BCom examination. Our Marathi medium primary education has never deterred us from achieving higher goals in life.
It is high time when parents realize that English is only a foreign language like French, German, Chinese or Russian which can be mastered at any point of life. Primary education is a stage where the kids should enjoy what they do and learn basic values of life which will forge their personality and help them face greater challenges in life. This is possible only when a child finds himself in a homely environment with a homely language.
May better senses prevail on Goan parents.
