Panaji: Congress-led Goa government on Saturday
stood divided over the issue of medium of instruction (MOI),
with one of the coalition partners opposing English.
Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), which is
represented by two legislators in the ruling coalition, today
said it would not allow English to be recognized as MOI, or
even a grant or other financial aid being given to
English-medium schools.
On the other hand, several Congress legislators including
Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate have openly supported
English as MOI, by participating in a rally last week.
MGP's Working President, Narayan Sawant, said at a press
conference today that party supported Konkani and Marathi as
MOI.
"We will continue our support (to Marathi and Konkani)
even at the cost of ministerial berth," he warned.
The educationists, teachers and parents in Goa are
divided over the MOI issue. While parents, including Goa
Church's Diocesan Society of Education, are batting for
English, there are others who say that elementary education
should only be given in the local languages.
MGP's treasurer, Apa Teli, said both its MLAs, including
Transport Minister Ramakrishna Dhavalikar, would oppose any
move to impose English as MOI. MGP supported Bharatiya Bhasha
Suraksha Manch (BBSM) on this issue, he said.
BBSM has organized a rally on April 6 here, to oppose
English as MOI.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, March 26, 2011, 19:56