Konkani Academy begins work on textbooks for schools

Having side-stepped the row on ideal script for teaching the Konkani language, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy (KKSA) has begun preparing the ground for introducing Konkani textbooks in schools.

Weeks ago the Academy had submitted a memorandum urging the government to introduce Konkani as an optional language for students from 6th to 10th standards in schools from the next academic year. Konkani Academy president Eric Ozario says Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Urdu and Malayalam languages have already been included in the syllabus as optional languages.

“Thus it should not take long to recognise Konkani as a third language,” Ozario stresses. To show that it is serious in introducing Konkani textbooks in schools, the Academy submitted its draft Konkani textbooks for students from the 6th to 10th standards to the textbook directorate on September 30.

The draft Konkani textbooks are in Kannada script, which is in harmony with the state language being Kannada, explains Ozario.

Even as the textbooks are under consideration, the Academy has drawn plans on organising an orientation workshop for Konkani teachers and bringing out an English- Konkani dictionary.

The objective behind the lexicon (in Kannada) is to help both teachers and students when Konkani is introduced in schools next year.

The Academy has also sought assistance of experienced persons to compile an English- Konkani dictionary.

Interested experts have to fill in details of their names, educational qualifications, prior experience in preparing dictionaries and send it to the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy office in Lalbagh on or before October 25.

The dictionary, according to experts, will be compiled and ready in the next academic year.

“A survey commissioned by the Academy reveals that there are more than 318 educational institutions run by Konkani managements,” Ozario said adding that their attempts would definitely help in retaining its distinct identity and cultural richness.