Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MR/AF)

Mangalore, Jun 8: Almost hundred Konkani teachers from various parts of the coastal districts of the state gathered here at Kalaangann, Shaktinagar on Saturday June 7 as the beneficiaries of Konkani training programme jointly organized by the Konkani Prachar Sanchalan and Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi.

The programme was inaugurated by the president of the Sanchalan Roy Castelino and registrar of the Akademi S H Shivarudrappa along with the other dignitaries.

Welcoming the august gathering Roy Castelino said, 'Konkani as an optional subject was taught for almost 1500 students of grade 6th in 93 schools. The efforts put in by the teachers and the school management is really commendable. This year when the new batch of students will study Konkani in 6th grade, those who had studied last year will continue to do so in the 7th grade. Efforts are already on to urge the government to appoint Konkani teachers where Konkani is taught.' 

Melvyn Rodrigues, poet and director, Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd, was the chief guest for the occasion. 'Promotion of mother tongue in the school helps develop not only the mother tongue but also children's abilities in the majority school language.  Bilingual children perform better in school when the school effectively teaches the mother tongue and, where appropriate, develops literacy in that language.  By contrast, when children are encouraged to reject their mother tongue and, consequently, its development stagnates, their personal and conceptual foundation for learning is undemined,' he opined.

Past president of the Akademi Eric Ozario, president of Mandd Sobhann Louie Pinto, secreatary of Konkani Prachar Sanchalan Dr Edward Nazareth were present on the occasion.

Prof Stephen Quadras and Fr Valerian Fernandes Ajekar conducted the training sessions.

It was announced during the occasion that a total of 101 schools have come forward to teach Konkani this year, eight more than the previous year.