Academy looks forward to Konkani teaching in over 100 schools

Come Monday, and Mangalore-based Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy will receive 3,000 Konkani textbooks published by the Directorate of State Education Research and Training. These textbooks will be used to launch the official teaching of Konkani as the third optional language for students of sixth standard.

President of the academy Eric Ozario told presspersons here on Friday that he was eagerly looking forward to Konkani being taught in a formal set-up in schools across the State in general and coastal parts of Karnataka in particular. The language was taught in 55 schools in this part of the State during the last academic year under an initiative of the academy in a non-formal set up.

Mr. Ozario said that about 3,000 students in 100 schools were expected to learn the language. Mr. Ozario appealed to all sections of Konkani speaking communities to make best use of this opportunity and ensure that teaching Konkani in schools became a self-sustaining movement.

Competitions

In an effort to help this, the academy has purchased the 3,000 textbooks and will supply them free of cost to schools introducing the language. In addition, the academy will also provide two note books and a pen to students taking up the language, organise competitions for them and also honour one student from each school who scores the highest marks in Konkani in the annual examination. The academy will also provide training to teachers to teach the language, give them an annual "Konkani allowance" of Rs. 3,000.

Mr. Ozario said the language would be taught in Kannada script.