Konkani Language Primary Schools Closing Down in Goa
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=070156

Excerpts from EDITORIAL in Navhind Times

IN this era of globalisation, local culture is not supposed to wane but to be stronger and more dynamic with the assistance of global techniques. Goan music, for instance, can use technology to enrich and spread itself. The various forms of Goan theatre can benefit from global experience in dramatic play writing and performing arts. Why should Goan languages, Konkani and Marathi, then become weaker and weaker at the school level? Why should students find no value in learning local languages?

The drop in number of admissions to Marathi and Konkani medium primary schools in the state makes a mockery of the Goa State Integrated Education Policy, 2008 which commends mother tongue as the natural medium of schooling at the primary level. Two South Goa government primary schools, one at Vante in Quepem and another at Murida in Salcete, closed down this year due to the absence of students. These schools had only two students each in the last academic year. If the information furnished by the education department is to be believed, the number of enrolment in Marathi medium primary schools has come down by 1000 this year. As many as six language primary schools were closed last year. Last academic year also saw the shutting down of two middle schools, one at Kopardem in Sattari taluka and another at Juvem in Canacona taluka.

For such pitiable state of mother tongue-based primary schooling, both the government and society are responsible. Parents are unwilling to send their children to Marathi or Konkani medium schools, because they believe that for their wards to survive and thrive in this competitive world, they have to have a strong foundation in English. A switchover to English at a later stage may not help their wards in overcoming the weaknesses and inhibitions they might develop learning through mother tongue.

Two sides to the Coin
http://www.southasianfocus.ca/opinion
Thursday June 5 2008

Official figures indicate the South Asian population has outnumbered all ethnic minorities in Canada— and the numbers continue to grow. Going forward, these numbers are bound to accelerate, as the South Asian region will remain Canada’s primary source for new immigrants.

Given Canada’s steadily declining birth rate, it has often been pointed out that from 2012, immigration will account for all net growth in our labour market. But more interestingly, it will be the Subcontinent that will primarily supply the flow of newcomers to Canada. And here, India will be Canada’s biggest source market, Pakistan the third biggest, and Sri Lanka the fifth biggest. Even as things stand at present, there are close to a million Canadians of Indian origin.

While there is doubtless strength in numbers— and possibly a comfort level afforded— the community must also consider the responsibilities such numbers cast upon our society as a whole. Even as we are all in awe of how large our ‘desi’ populations has grown, it may be fitting to take a moment to reflect on what this means in terms of the social issues that are relevant not only to newcomers but to our community, as social service organizations are now beginning to point out. This includes getting jobs commensurate with qualifications, focusing on health and well being, and promoting a greater quality of life for newcomers.

We couldn’t agree more.

Further, the expansion of a community also means a rise in the number of individuals accessing social services, and a concurrent rise in the demand for volunteers, and for financial support. We need to be alive to these challenges. Yes, there might be a certain comfort level in the numbers— but there is also a responsibility attached that we will have to start addressing today, in order to face our tomorrows.