the goan I network
PANAJI
Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch on Thursday lashed out at the Education Department and alleged that, through delayed grant of permissions as well as filling of posts, the department is out to thwart the possibility of Konkani and Marathi medium primary schools flourishing.
Speaking at Panaji, BBSM leader Subhash Velingkar stated, “This year, 24 new Konkani medium and 14 Marathi medium primary schools have been granted permission. But the admission process of most schools concludes by March 31. We warn the department not to delay the procedure any further.”
BBSM also criticized the government and pointed out that none of the elements of the Medium of Instruction policy formulated by the government in 2012 have been implemented till date.
Relying on government figures, BBSM blamed the failure of the department for the closure of 113 Marathi and Konkani medium primary schools.
“Presently, 301 schools have strength of less than 15 students and another 108 have strength of 16 to 20. The way things are going, all these 409 schools will shut down in the coming four years,” Velingkar warned.
BBSM also raised questions on the government’s plan to improve the quality of education in the state by juxtaposing it with the lack of teachers as well as higher department officials to run the show.
The shortfall of around 569 teachers for primary schools, possibly higher, and absence of grade headmasters as well as the decreasing quality of higher secondary and University level education was criticized.
