MARGAO
Saying the New Education Policy 2020 holds key to the introduction of Konkani in the Roman script into schools, the Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan has appealed to the State government to put the NEP into practice by introducing Romi script.
GRLA president Kennedy Afonso reminded that Article 29(1) of the Indian Constitution also makes provision for the minorities to protect their language, script, and culture. In this respect, he said the NEP lays emphasis on the importance of preserving and promoting India’s linguistic diversity and recommends the usage of mother tongue, local languages, and dialects in the school curriculum. The NEP provides the framework required for preserving Konkani, he said.
The GRLA has also appealed to the Goa Archdiocese, which runs the Diocesan schools in Goa, as they can also play a significant role in the introduction of Roman Script Konkani into schools under the framework of the NEP. “Understanding the genuine demands of its community, the Diocesan authorities can appeal or show their desire to the government to introduce Roman Script as an optional subject in the school curriculum. The new NEP gives institutions the freedom to teach a curriculum of their choice. The Diocesan authorities only have to make a policy decision on this matter and pursue it with the government bodies,” he added.
Kennedy said a delegation will also meet Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant in this regard, as the Official Language Act has got nothing to do with Roman Script being introduced into schools, and it is solely the decision of the government authorities.
GRLA appeals to all MLAs/legislators from all political parties to discuss the possibility of introducing Romi Script into schools under the framework of the NEP in the forthcoming Assembly session, after making a thorough study of the provisions laid down in the NEP.
