Goa: Government delays introducing controversial English textbook

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Govt refers Marigold to Board of Studies
NT Staff Reporter

Panaji, July 4: In view of the mounting pressure from parents and
teachers, the state government today decided to refer the controversial
English textbook Marigold to the State Board of Studies. The Chief
Minister, Mr Pratapsing Rane told reporters that the government has asked
the Board to re-consider and submit its report whether the textbook would
burden the tiny-tots and also suggest whether some other simplified book
could be introduced for these students.

Mr Rane said the government has asked the Board to give its recommendation
immediately. The book is meant for verbal teaching and to introduce basic
English to the tiny-tots in standard one. Interactive teaching is the best
way of teaching, he remarked. To a question, Mr Rane said if the Board
recommends changes to the book to make it more simplified, the government
will amend it. We are trying either to simplify the book or train the
teachers, Mr Rane remarked.

However, Mr Rane said there will be no change in the government policy to
introduce English subject from standard one and the government has decided
just to review the book in view of request coming from several quarters.
He said the book was introduce to teach verbal English to the students. Mr
Rane said he had noticed that the students especially from the rural
areas, who complete their primary schooling in vernacular languages are
unable to cope with the English language in standard fifth. The government
in order to remove this barrier, has introduced English from standard one
from this academic year, Mr Rane said.

English is a must whether you like it or not and even in remote town like
Valpoi you will see English signboards. Proliferation of English has gone
to such a depth that we cannot help it, Mr Rane said. Pointing out that
some people are fearing that this will destroy Indian culture, Mr Rane
said Indian culture has survived for thousands of years and there was no
need to fear. The government has decided to rename the State Institute of
Education into State Council of Educational Research and Training.

It may be recalled that Marigold textbook for standard one had kicked off
a controversy as there was strong opposition from Marathi and Konkani
protagonists. Besides, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a large number
of parents complained that the book's standard was high and therefore
difficult for the students to grasp it.

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