from Cypriano Lopes / TSSK

Panaji, Mar 13: The reported decision of the Education department to relax the distance barrier will give a new boost to the proliferation of new English Medium Schools, which are in high demand.

These self-financing schools will pose a grave threat to the Church-run schools which impart education in the vernacular medium.

At least for now, the parents will have a choice to choose between English which is in high demand and the vernacular medium.

What strategy the Church-run schools will adopt in the changed scenario remains to be seeen. They pioneered English education until the onset of grants. Will they survive the onslaught of new English medium schools? or will they face the same fate as the government schools are facing now?

Introspection by these school managements is the need of the hour. The schools run by the religious priests and nuns can at least start English medium primary education by appointing competent teachers on contract basis.

with the new policy of the government, competition amongst the schools will increase. It will lead to excellence. Mediocrity will be a thing of the past. Schools which are run solely with an eye on grants will have to close the shop.

Some schools run by the majority community prepare students for the GCET and other competitive entrance exams, right from fifth standard. The minority schools will have to compete and deliver. They can no longer play with the careers of the students. Education is highly competitive and those who cannot cope with have no right to remain in business.

The Church-run schools will have to keep pace with the recent trends in education. The interests of the students will have to be safeguarded at all costs. Otherwise it might be too late for them.