MARGAO, MARCH 8
The All Goa Unaided School Parents Association (AGUSPA) has said the demand of Parents Teachers Association (PTAs) of various schools in the State to change the medium of instruction policy must be considered seriously, as the demand from parents to get their children educated in English right from the primary level is increasing day by day so as to meet the challenges of globalization and also acceptance of the English language globally.
Association member Franky Monteiro said if the government intends to promote the mother tongue then it should put in the right efforts, merely forcing it down the throat of parents and children will have disastrous consequences as seen today.
“Before this policy came into force, there were only 4 English medium schools, today there are 158 English medium schools in different parts of Goa,” he added.
Demanding to know why the medium of instruction is linked to financial aid, Monteiro further said the parents should decide what is good for their children and that the government cannot force its view on them. “It is because of this lopsided policy of the PDF government that parents who want their children educated in English right from the primary level are left at the mercy of the so called educationist who have entered into this lucrative business of education, seeing an opportunity to exploit gullible parents.
AGSUPA Executive member Orlando Pacheco said if quality of education is the reason cited for more and more parents opting for unaided private schools then why are there no Konkani or Marathi medium unaided schools in the state which could also offer quality education. “It is loud and clear that parents demands to teach their child in English right from the primary level has helped mushrooming of Private English medium Schools in every nook and corner of the state, why is this government not accepting this fact”, he asked and insisted that aided schools should be free to decide on the medium of instruction depending on the demand from parents, the government should not link medium of instruction to aid.
He further pointed that it should not be left to the politicians to dictate to parents what they should do to their child, it should be left to the parent’s to choose, specially matters with regard to education the government’s responsibility be limited to that of granting assistance to the parents and the child.
AGUSPA Vice Chairman Ashley Fernandes sated that during an executive committee meeting held yesterday it has been resolved that the association would support those parents who are currently demanding that the government should reconsider its medium of instruction policy and allow the parents to decide the medium of instruction for their children and that medium of instruction should not be linked to aid.
He further appealed to parents and the public to make it an election agenda during the forthcoming assembly election scheduled next year.
