Novel resolution on MoI at Poinguinim
Provide Rs 500 incentive to students pursuing Konkani, Marathi
THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
While rival groups have taken opposing stands on the vexed Medium of Instruction (MoI) issue at the primary school, the Poinguinim gram sabha has adopted a novel resolution to resolve the issue.
While claiming that it is unfair to stop government grants to English medium primary schools, the residents have, however, recommended that the State government grants an incentive of Rs 500 per month to children pursuing primary education in Konkani or Marathi medium.
Raising the MoI issue, some villagers said it was unfortunate that most parents opt for primary education in English language, but felt it was unfair to stop government grants to English medium primary schools in the State.
“But if government wants to protect local and Indian languages, then it is high time that government gives incentives to students pursuing primary education in Konkani or Marathi. This way, parents may have an incentive to send their children to Konkani and Marathi medium primary schools,” reasoned Venkatrai Naik.
The resolution was seconded by Vijay Kumar Prabhugkumar and even suggested an incentive of Rs 500 per month to each of the primary students using Indian languages as the medium of instruction.
“If you want to protect Indian languages, grant incentives to students. Even though English is a working language, states like Goa needs to think to protect Konkani and Marathi as local languages,” said a villager.
Damodar Shenvi, Ajit Painginkar, Kishore Painginkar, Vasant Prabhudessai were among others who supported the resolution and requested the panchayat to send the resolution to the government for implementation.
During the meeting, the members voiced their objections to the Regional Plan 2021 and asked the panchayat to initiate action against illegal constructions in the village.
The villagers also criticised the government for doing little to develop the Potkem playground in Poinguinim.
“Though the Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar happens to be a gram sabha member of Poinguinim, the lone sports ground at Potkem continues to lie in a dilapidated state and has not seen any development,” complained a member.
“If the Potkem ground does not witness any development within the next three months, villagers will protest in front of Poinguinim panchayat building,” the resident added.
Sarpanch Mahesh Naik, who is also Canacona Block BJP mandal president, assured to forward their sentiments to the sports minister and would follow it up at the next gram sabha.
To another complaint regarding fluctuation of streets lights, the sarpanch assured to take up the matter with the electricity department.
