Konknni medium schools a disadvantage to Catholics By Cipriano Lopes
Its admission time once again, parents are seen hopping with their little ones, from school to school to gain admission. English medium schools are in high demand. Next come the Archdiocesan board of education managed schools. For those who cannot afford and have no choice, the only option is the church run Konkani medium diocesan schools.
School education particularly in the primary section is a lucrative business. Capitalising on the opportunity provided on the platter by the Catholic Church who opted for the konkani medium, businessman who otherwise dealt in small businesses have opened English medium schools and are prospering. Faced with the prospect of closure of church run schools, the Archbishop has belatedly given permission to the archdiocesan board, to simultaneously run English medium schools, expectedly the education department has reportedly shot down the move.
Having no option, the devout Catholics who otherwise would have preferred the value based education provided by the church run schools, are at the mercy of mercenaries who run schools with the sole aim of making profit. Housed in makeshift classrooms, in flats and garages, with no proper ventilation or toilet facilities these English medium schools are seen mushrooming all over Goa.
The church run diocesan schools, which were opened to cater to the village faithful, are now imparting education to the Lamanis and the migrants. Not that the lamanis and the migrants have a liking for the Catholic schools, but only because the teachers faced with the prospects of retrenchment go from slum to slum in search of new students. Underprivileged Goan children have now to adjust not only to the mix of different languages that they speak, but are in for a culture shock. The very essence of Goanness in these schools is missing.
Devanagari Konkani medium primary education is a total failure. More than ninety percent of Goans have shunned this form of education. Even the government run schools impart education in the Marathi medium. The Konkani dialect of these Church run Devanagari medium schools is alien to the Catholic children. The end result is for everyone to see. The dropout rate in these schools is alarming. The children are not motivated to opt for higher education and are overburdened with changing mediums. The community on the whole suffers.
Financial consideration has taken precedence over service, the avowed principle of the catholic faith. Various committees appointed by the church to review the medium of instruction policy have concluded umpteen times that the only way out is a switchover to English medium. Why is the church reluctant to take a bold step? A win win formula for the teachers and the students can be worked out.
The pundits of the archdiocesan and diocesan boards should now ponder and act decisively. and take urgent corrective measures. The Catholics cannot be held for ransom because of govt grants and myopic thinking. The alleged denial of permission to run English medium simultaneously with the Devanagari Konkani medium by the education department, to the Jesuit run schools should serve as an eye-opener. The Catholic community should not view this as a setback but as an opportunity to introspect and change.
Take the case of Kerala, The Catholic community has ventured into corporate schools, English medium schools without government grants are flourishing. They have opted for the CBSE accredited curriculum.. In keeping with the child's needs, right from sports, martial arts and catechism. These schools prepare the child to confidently face the future. Why should our students be found wanting? Can we learn from the Keralities and turn a new leaf? Or are we waiting for our own doom?
