Just been back from the Azad Maidan. And I am still numbed with shock to see the crowds. My estimate is over 20,000. I would have forgotten about this important PTA meet had it not been for a quick adjournment of the hearing of my Writ Petition in the HC (CRZ Violations by three hotels in the Calangute-Baga belt). The announcements at the Azad Maidan could be heard at Altinho and disturbingly loud too ( as I saw later that PA -horns were placed in all directions).
I had sense enough to park my vehicle at the Ferry Wharf and walk it out. It was difficult to get inside the Azad Maidan, but I managed. Took some video clips and photos. But the rate at which the flow of people was pouring in, I decided to make a hasty retreat after having heard the full 20 mins. odd speech by Savio Lopes of the PTA. It was difficult to get out. The surrounding streets were full to the brim too. There was no chance to get into cafe real for a quick cup of tea either as the line waiting for the tables was long. Two cop that I met were stunned too at the turnout. To Dy.SP Banaulikar who was at the entrance gate I said. "You are lucky to be a six footer cause you can see above the heads. To SP North (Arvind Gawas) who was on the street, I asked "Have you witnessed such crowds anytime before?" His reply "You're asking me"? In short, I do not agree to the demands of the Parent/Teachers' association either. That the Parents be given a choice of English as medium of instructions from Primary level. Six years ago we came out with the Road Map for Goa. Re. Primary education we have this to say. 1. Have class primary school buildings ( of same design everywhere) with playground, play garden, school bus service, canteen, decent/class uniform, PowerPoint auditoria , sleeping/resting area, etc. 2. No home work but imparting knowledge. 3. Visits to factories, museums, parks, beaches, water falls, mining areas etc. so that the kids know what is what. 5. Medium of instructions: Konkani with first-class teachers (not incompetent Balwadis) who are selected for their temperament and affinity to children. 6. English subject taught by perfect English speaking teacher/s with audio visuals for sound and style of speaking so that every primary student is very much and absolutely comfortable with English Language (reading, writing and speaking) so that the transition from primary to secondary is smooth. 7. Thereafter give a choice of languages for the student to decide on. WHY WE ARE SAYING KONKANI (MOTHER TONGUE) AS MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION FOR PRIMARY. 1. Perhaps only 5 per cent or less families in Goa speak English at home. 2. Practically 99 per cent of the Goan families speak Konkani at home ( The Goan Marathi lobby included) 3. At this tender age, a kid who has grown up in its mother tongue understands the language of instruction. Ex. Tokler fator marlear konk zata and rogot vaumta. If this is told to a konkani speaking kid, he/she understands it perfectly well. But you tell this kid " If you hit a stone on the head , there will be a wound and blood will flow . This, the kid will not understand. Therefore we will be teaching this kid the medium of instruction first ( i.e. English) for him to understand what is being taught. This is not a natural learning process and therefore we are going to confuse our kids when we mean well for their future. Therefore, what we have said before. By all means teach perfect English language to the kid while he/she is learning and/or taking-in knowledge. Therefore, any government's stand must be 1. Primary education in mother tongue ( not beyond 1 to 4 standard) 2. English language as a subject with audio visuals with high class English Language teachers. In this English class, the teacher must speak proper accented English and nothing but English. (We would prefer to assign Englishmen and/or Englishwomen as teachers for this subject) BTW: Give a glance at our Primary school buildings around Goa. Dilapidated is not the word. So what class of future citizens are we creating???? A big food for thought for Goans. Cheers floriano goasuraj 9890470896 www.goasu-raj.org PS: Therefore the need to elect forward looking and forward thinking ' GSRP' or by default the 'GRA' in the coming Goa Legislative Assembly Elections.
