Goa govt to decide tomorrow on MOI in elementary education

Updated on: Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Goa government will formally announce its stand tomorrow on the medium of instruction (MOI) for elementary education in the state amid speculations that the Congress meeting in Delhi on the issue has decided upon English.

"The consultations in Delhi are over. But the final decision has to be taken by the state government," Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and Goa desk in-charge Jagmeet Singh Brar told from Delhi.

Goa is witnessing a fierce debate over the MOI issue with a section of academicians and parents demanding to retain Konkani-Marathi as MOI while another section wants English.

The Congress party had held discussions in Delhi over the issue with Union Human Resources Minister Kapil Sibal. Party sources had stated that the meeting had resolved that English be allowed as the MOI.

Brar, however refused to pulge anything about the decision in the meeting stating that it is entirely for the state government to take a final call on the matter tomorrow.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had found himself in a piquant situation when sections within the party had expressed perse opinions on the issue. Following this, he had to seek intervention of the party high command over the issue.

Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM), which is lobbying to retain Konkani-Marathi as MOI, has threatened to launch agitation, if state government tries to force English.

BBSM had also said the political solution for the issue was not acceptable when there are several academicians in the state who can think scientifically and decide.

Meanwhile, NCP, a coalition partner in the state government has opposed the way Congress was trying to work out political solution for the MOI crisis.

"The MOI issue should be decided by the academicians and not by politicians," NCP Goa President Surendra Sirsat said here reacting to the meet in Delhi, which was attended by Kamat and few other Goa ministers.

The MOI issue surfaced in Goa after the state went ahead with the implementation of Right to Education Act, 2009.

Goa govt to decide tomorrow on MOI in elementary education

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