Mangalore: Memorandum to Include Konkani in D Ed and B Ed Syllabi
 
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
 
Mangalore, Nov 22: Konkani Prachar Sanchalan, an NGO which works tirelessly to see that the movement of teaching Konkani language in schools strengthens further, has submitted a memorandum to the state governement as well as the central government through its representatives who were present here for a seminar on the subject 'Mother Tongue in Education System'.  The memorandum urges the authorities to introduce the Konkani syllabi in the D Ed as well as B Ed level.

The seminar was held at Sahodaya, Balmatta on Monday, November 21 under the auspices of Konkani Prachar Sanchalan, which was presided over by its president Roy Castelino.

Yogish Bhat, MLA and deputy speaker of the Legislative Assembly inaugurated. In his address, he said that teaching a language was parallel to teaching values to a child.

Kedutso Kapfo, director of southern regional language school and in-charge director of the Central Institute of Indian languages (CIIL), Mysore, delivered the keynote address. He said that mother tongue is the primary source of learning for a child, through which he learns to think effectively and understand his environment, before going on to learn more languages.

He further said that Konkani ought to be taught from class 1 rather than class 6, and that psychologists and educationists should take an active role in bringing this into effect. 

Eric Ozario, Gurkar, Mandd Sobhann, and general secretary, Global Konkani Organisation, also seconded him and said that teaching one's mother tongue (Konkani) would bear better results if it were to be taught right from class 1. It is not easy, but not impossible either, he added.

Roy Castelino, president, Konkani Prachar Sanchalan presided over the programme. In his address said that the government should realise that it is indebted to Konkani teachers who are teaching the language out of their own will and passion, without being paid salaries.

Steven Quardras and Dr Alwyn D'Sa compered. Vittori Karkal proposed the vote of thanks.

Among those present were Philomena Lobo, joint director of the Department of Public Instruction, and principal, Government College of Education, Prof H R Nataraj Urs, joint director, College Education Dept Regional Office, Xavier D’Souza, convenor, text book preparation committee and others.