MAPUSA
Making a strong pitch for imparting primary education in mother tongue, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said exposing children to quality education in Marathi or Konkani will go a long way in helping children to grasp crucial subjects, particularly mathematics.
“We need to be proud Goans and we need to protect our Goa. To do that we will have to protect our Konkani and that is why we should not be Englishman,” Parrikar said.
The defence minister was speaking at a function at Parra, near Mapusa, where he was felicitated by Padma Shree and educationist, Suresh Amonkar on Sunday evening.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo were also present.
The defence minister said Goan parents should be made aware that education in mother tongue is crucial.
“I am sure if quality education is provided either in Konkani or Marathi parents won’t shy away from tutoring their wards in mother tongue,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of mother tongue especially in learning the subject of mathematics.
“To learn mathematics, it’s important to learn in mother tongue. Children learning in English cannot grasp mathematics very well,” he added.
The defence minister also said studying in the local language will help in gaining knowledge about the contribution of local leaders and thinkers and along with it, the contribution of Goan achievers will make an impact on young minds.
“I have gained a lot of knowledge of Goan leaders and I could do this only because I have learnt in my mother tongue and not in English. In English literature who will we learn of? May be Winston Churchill or even Shakespeare… In order to maintain a connect with the local ethos we need to learn about local poets or philosophers or thinkers,” Parrikar said.
The defence minister said the State government has been recently criticized for its stand on issuing grants to English medium schools.
Parrikar’s statement on the mother tongue assumes significance as it comes under the backdrop of the attack from the RSS against the State government’s stand on Medium of Instruction.
