BBSM to protest against govt’s refusal to give nod to start new schools

the goan I networkrPORVORIM r rOn Saturday, agitations will be held at seven places - Ponda, Vasco, Valpoi, Marcel, Mapusa, Bicholim and Sankhali; while on Sunday agitations will be held at Shiroda, Mandrem, Sanguem, Cuncolim and Pernem. rBBSM on Friday staged ‘dharna’ along the Panaji-Mapusa highway near PDA Colony at Porvorim. rSpeaking on the occasion, Arvind Bhatikar stated that the agitation has now become the agitation of the people and it will continue till grants to English medium primary schools are withdrawn by the State government. r“The BJP is trying to appease the minority community by continuing the grants to English medium schools. All the international forums like UNESCO have stressed to educate children in their mother tongue at least at primary level,” stated Bhatikar. r“Researches have shown that mother tongue-based schooling improves learning significantly. Hence, the State government should immediately stop the grants to English medium primary schools and encourage education in mother tongue only,” said Bhatikar. rSampada Sangelkar said to preserve ‘Goenkarponn’, it is necessary that children are taught in their mother tongue. “Children also grasp better when they are taught in their mother tongue.”