SOTER: Reports reveal that a bunch of students of MES college defied the principal's instructions and held a demo to protest the government grants to English medium schools. It is well known that the students are none other than the domesticated youth of the divisive forces that are not using the name of the student's movement but popping up other names to conceal their identity.
I was amused to learn that some of the BJP-BBSM elements are now claiming that they are not opposed to grants for English medium primary schools. They point out that their opposition is only that the government has not observed the mandatory 6 months period before effecting such a change. There is no doubt that these divisive forces are pretending to have mellowed down but infact are just bidding for time in the hope that should they manage to elect a favourable government at the next assembly polls they will be able to stall the process. By now the BJP seems to have realised the impact of this colossal blunder wherein they have lost the support of many of their supporters due to this issue. BJP now seems to be operating through the court petition and pushing their youth groups in the fore front in order not to antagonise anyone further. They will show their true colours only after elections. Meanwhile the actual intent of the MoI controversy has been established when it gets stated in court that the move to give grants to English primary schools will benefit the diocesan schools. It must be noted that the counsel representing this group was the Advocate General during the BJP rule. And as the discrimination and perpetration of injustice gets continued by Goa's own divisive forces, the future of Goans is under threat. -Soter D. MY TAKE: 1. A couple of days ago I caught a snippet of an interview of former CM Parrikar by Pramod Acharya. Parrikar said that he felt that in certain cases English MOI was justified because of the migrants. He cited the example of Keralites having no use for Konkani and English was fine for them. He also went on to say that it (English) was not introduced in a proper manner. Now with Goa's changing demographics, the migrants will soon out number us. So going by this as per the BBSM-BJP stand on this as represented by the ex-CM, it is only a matter of time before English MOI will be fait accompli! 2. The students of Dnyan Prassarak Mandal demonstrated against the English MOI. It is an accepted fact that students can be influenced. Also, in that case, why is their own Parent Institiution the D P Mandal running an English medium primary school where capitation fees are charged and there are heavy monthly fees? These students should be asked to look within their own system. 3. There are some contradictions surrounding this whole controversy. If 90 percent of the parents want English MOI then why is the minority 10 percent trying to influence the whole 90 percent to think their way? Surely the 90 percent cuts across party and demographic lines. 3. Basically, English MOI affects Stds I and II where all subjects are taught in the MOI. In Stds III and IV, English is taught anyway, as per the existing system, as a second language, where the approach to teaching the subject is not so rigorous. 4. What everyone seems to have lost sight of is that, as per the RTE, ALL, repeat ALL subjects will be taught in the MOI. The question that arises is that can the regional language MOI cope with this specially for technical subjects like Geography and Science? Marathi can do it as they have been doing it in Maharashtra for years. But the greatest losers will be those who opt for Konkani. 5. At the present when the switch over is in Std V, there are serious problems with comprehension of subject matter, That failure rates have been hitherto low is because of the assisted push given to the students in the form of marks for orals, practicals, years work, etc. These are prone to manipulation. Then the added marks for participation in sports. One can imagine the plight of these students when the switch over is in Std VIII. The pity is that no one is interested in the aspect of acquisition of knowledge. Now with the no detention policy, this aspect of education has gone with the wind. (We can probably film a new version with Sheshikola playing Scarlet O'Hara and Neguash playing Rhett Butler in the leading roles but we can audition for more) 6. And Soter, you clicked on the right link. Buying time is the ploy adopted by the BBSM-BJP -- "Tony de Sa" < tonydesa at gmail dot com>
