the goan I network
PANAJI
Following on with its circular issuing spree, the Education Department has issued yet another one pertaining to the celebration of ‘International Mother Tongue’ day on February 21 in schools and suggested an activity related to reading of ‘Constitution Preamble in Matribhasa (Mother Tounge)’.
“It has been decided to celebrate Matribhasha Diwas on February 21 to promote the use of mother tongue. This day should be conducted in all the schools and at the state level...”, says the circular issued by the Education Director Vandana Rao.
The circular states that highlighting linguistic diversity of the country, encouraging usage of Indian languages and to draw attention to the diversity of cultures, in arts scripts and other forms of creative expression is the objective of celebrating the Mother Tongue Day.
The list of suggestive
activities for the day mentioned by Rao in the circular include Indian Constitution Preamble reading in Matribhasha, folk songs, essay competition, debate, exhibition on Indian languages and GK competition on Indian language heritage.
“In case the schools are closed on February 21, 2020 on account of Mahashivratri the same should be celebrated on February 20, 2020”, the circular further states.
While making a case for the Mother Tongue Day celebration, the education director has said that “The United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organisation (UNESCO) has declared February 21 as International Mother Tongue Day to promote the dissemination of mother tongue and awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue”.
It may be recalled that Rao has come in the cross-hairs of principals of schools across the State after she issued dozens of circulars to propagate activities conceptualized by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development which controls all education matters in the country.
Schools and their management have been hard-pressed to implement the missives included in these circulars issued by Rao which added up to several dozen in the short six-seven months time since she took over as education director last year.
