Says upgrading education scenario will stifle craze for English schools
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Asserting that there’s a misconception in the minds of certain people that only English can help one to conquer the world, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday said that education in Konkani medium has not only given Goa recognition, but can also take the state to greater heights.
He, however, underlined the need for adequate recognition for Konkani to ensure that English schools automatically lose their charm and schools in Konkani and Marathi flourish in the state.
Speaking at the function to mark the 258th birth anniversary of the father of hypnotism, Abbe Faria organised by Goenkaranchem Daiz in collaboration with Indian Psychiatric Society, West Zone and Ravindra Bhavan, Margao here on Saturday, the chief Minister cautioned that a society is on a self-destruction course if it does not recognise or forget its rich history, while underlining the need to bring about the society from self hypnosis.
“We think that our students will reach at the top of the world with English education. But, that is not a fact. We have studied in Marathi, while others have done so in Konkani and have still kept the Goan flag flying high. And, I have no doubt in my mind that education in Konkani medium will help Goa reach greater heights in the future”, he said. Parrikar, however, stressed on the need to upgrade the education scenario in Konkani medium so that there’s no more craze for English schools.
The chief minister made a mention of the language and medium of instruction after Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Rajendra Arlekar emphasised on the need to conduct functions in the mother tongue.
Arlekar said that Goan culture and identity will be best protected if even small functions are conducted in Konkani.
