Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (VM), pic by Dayanand Kukkaje
Mangalore, Feb 23: A historic day for Konkanis worldwide, the Cabinet’s approval to include Konkani in curriculum has brought joy.
The State Cabinet on Thursday, February 22 gave its nod to introduce Konkani as third language in school curriculum.
The Karnataka State Konkani Sahitya Academy which has been pressurizing the government for several years has thanked the government for the support extended to the growth of the language.
Speaking to media persons on Friday, Academy president Eric Ozario said that the fruit of the continuous efforts of several organizations and people is at hand. The priority of the Academy ever since he took over the reigns of Konkani Academy way back in 2005 was to introduce Konkani in school curriculum.
He further added that Konkani will be taught in schools from June 2007. Although a pilot project of teaching Konkani in 55 schools to around 1,596 is underway, the Academy will now go war footing in completing the textbook projects and also training the teachers.
He further added that the final exam for the students learning Konkani under the pilot projects has been postponed to March 3.
A special word of appreciation was also extended to the media who have been constantly reporting the developments of the language and efforts of the Academy
“In the context of globalization where small and regional languages die a slow death, the bringing Konkani into the school premises is a new lease of life to the language, Eric said.
When asked about the script to be used for teaching Konkani, Eric made it clear that the Academy has no issues on the matter. The government has approved both Kannada and Devnagari scripts and thus opportunity will be given to opt for any of the two scripts, he said.
Eric said that following the footsteps of the Konkani language, Tulu language too should be taught in schools for which peoples support is required.
Registrar, H S Shivarudrappa, Academy members Charan Mallya, Deepali Kambadakone and Victor Mathias were present at the press meet.
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