Threatens will be forced to call Goa bandh in support of demand
the goan I network
MARGAO
FORCE also threatened to call for a Goa bandh if police intimidation of parents does not stop.
“There are many people who are spreading ‘misinformation’ that we are destroying local culture and language. They are spreading misinformation stating that children studying in English medium primary schools will be alienated from local language and culture if the government does not stop grants to these schools. If this is true, let the government close down all the 140 unaided private English-medium primary schools operating in the state. And, if the government succeeds in shutting down these private English-medium primary schools, then FORCE will withdraw its ongoing stir in support of government grants to English-medium schools. We want to prove that the government and BBSM leaders have no interest in the language or culture, but is only out to ensure that the bahujan samaj and poorer sections of the society do not get English education,” FORCE Secretary Savio Lopes told the media in the presence of president Premanand Naik and Cynthia Pereira.
Lopes said FORCE will also support Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM) if the organization takes the initiative to demand closure of all the 140 unaided private English-medium primary schools if it really feels that children passing out of these schools will have no love for the local language and culture. “These people are spreading misinformation on language and culture if government grants continue to the aided English-medium primary schools. But they have till date not shown the same concern whether the thousands of students passing out from private English-medium primary schools will also lose interest in the local language and culture,” Lopes wondered.
Claiming that parents demanding the passage of the Bill in support of government grants to English-medium primary schools are being harassed and intimidated by the police, Lopes warned the government not to play with the sentiments of the parents. “We will shut down the state if this harassment and intimidation does not stop forthwith. The parents will come on the streets,” Lopes warned, while asserting that the parents will not be cowed down by any intimidation and threats.
“The police have been visiting my place for the last four years. They have filed cases against parents in Bicholim, while reports suggests that the parents are being harassed by the police in other parts of the state”, he added.
When asked whether FORCE has any grievance left when the government has till date not discontinued grants to the aided English medium primary schools, Lopes shot back “how can we trust this government that it would do justice to the parents. In July last, the CM had assured on the floor of the House to pass the Bill legalizing grants to the schools. A year down the line, the same CM has changed his stance on the Bill. Do we have any reason to trust this government?” On the fate of the memornadums submitted by parents to the MLAs and Ministers, Lopes said though most of the elected representatives have given positive response to the demands of parents, their assurances do not inspire confidence given their failure to pass the Bill.
Asked to comment on MLA Vishnu Wagh’s statement that Konkani in Romi script could be a solution to the vexed MoI tangle, Lopes said “we are here for the MoI and the education of our children. Language and scrip are separate issues. Let Wagh put an option, but our view is that parents should get the choice. If Wagh feels that parents should get another choice, it is for the parents to decide.”
