PANJIM: After almost two years, the government-appointed expert panel on the Medium of Instruction (MoI) is set to submit its report by December 31. The report is expected to help the State zero upon the MoI policy for students at the elementary level.
The 17-member panel, headed by educationist Bhaskar Nayak, was formed more than two years ago on July 15, 2016. It was to submit its report within 120 days of its formation, but was granted five extensions, with the last one having ended on December 31, 2017. The panel has conducted 14 meetings across the State with school managements, PTAs, pro-Konkani and Marathi language supporters and with those in favour of English as a medium of instruction.
When contacted, Nayak said the process to draft the report has started and it would be submitted to the government by December 31. “Due to some personal matter, there was delay in submitting the report,” he said.
The State Government in 2014 had resolved to continue grants to all 137 English medium primary schools, a move that led to protests from the anti-English protagonists.
Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) has threatened to launch state-wide agitation if the report goes in favour of continuing grants to English medium primary schools.
The committee was constituted for wider consultation and facilitation to the government to decide on the MoI issue ahead of the 2017 polls. The panel had to study the entire system of grants and financial support to government-aided schools for primary education and make necessary recommendations so as to improve its overall efficiency for achieving the educational goals of the State.
