PANJIM: Reiterating that his government would not revert its decision on grants to 135 English medium schools, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said parents are being misled by a few for political mileage.
“Some people are trying to take political mileage out of the whole issue,” he said. About his opinion on the issue, he said, “We feel primary education in the mother tongue is best and we are united on that.”
For this, he said, “We have accepted English from fifth standard and to facilitate that we have started a subject in English at primary level.”
Further, he said, “While saying this I am assuring parents that the 135 schools which are getting grants for English will continue to get. I assure them security on the issue. Some people say it can be reverted as it is only a cabinet decision but I tell you even a Act can be changed for that matter.”
He urged parents and politicians who he said were instigating people that “let Goa’s communal fabric not be disturbed due to this issue”.
Following criticism from various quarters for stopping grants to former Union Law Minister Ramakant Khalap’s Mandrem College, Parsekar said there was no question of stopping grants as they have never been released.
“In 2012 Khalap was given permissions to start the college only after he assured that he would run it on its own,” Parsekar stated. The chief minister said, “We are already building an Arts and Commerce College in Pernem and as such we do not need another college which will incur additional expenditure of Rs 2 cr annually.”
Parsekar also questioned why Khalap did not get permission in 2011 when Congress was in power.
