The Hindu

Mangalore, Jun 9: The Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy has initiated the process of imparting Konkani lessons on a trial basis to VII standard students in 30 schools in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts. It is part of an informal attempt to teach Konkani to students outside the constraints of the formally approved syllabus.

An academy press release said the process had already started. A publicity committee had been set up for the purpose, and a workshop had been organised for teachers of Konkani language here on June 28, it said.

The academy will take the lead in training teachers, printing and supplying textbooks and providing remuneration to teachers. It has requested managements and headmasters of higher primary schools in the three districts to provide details of students in sixth/seventh standards who are interested in learning Konkani, and also the names of those who will be able to teach it, on or before June 20.

The details are to be sent to the academy, Mangalore City Corporation Building, Lalbagh, Mangalore - 575 003.

The academy had been working with the aim of introducing Konkani language as an optional subject for sixth standard students from this academic year. The Directorate of State Research Education and Training, Bangalore, had prepared textbooks for the purpose, the release added.

The Government had set up a nine-member committee to scrutinize the textbooks and submit a report.