BBSM to continue stir for regional languages as MoI in Goa

Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM), a forum advocating regional languages as the medium of instruction (MoI) for elementary education in Goa, has warned that they would continue their stir following delay in passage of MoI Bill by the Legislative Assembly.
BBSM leaders yesterday said, their agitation for regional languages as the medium of instruction would continue and demanded that grants given to English medium schools should be withdrawn and only schools with regional languages as the MoI should be given financial help.
A Select Committee of the Legislative Assembly has failed to finalise the draft MoI Bill despite Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar's assurance earlier this month that it would be tabled during the upcoming Winter Session starting January 11.

The Committee members in a meeting on Friday sought some data from the Education department, making the introduction of the Bill in the coming session seem difficult.
"Just postponing the tabling of the Bill does not solve the problem. We are monitoring the working of the state government," BBSM leader Subhash Velingkar said.
The Opposition has taken a guarded stand on the issue. A group of Independent legislators and a Congress MLA in a press conference yesterday refused to spell out their stand on the issue.

"Let the Select Committee introduce the Bill in the Assembly. It has to be discussed and debated," Independent MLA Vijay Sardessai said.

Other Legislators including Rohan Khaunte, Naresh Sawal (both Independents) and Congress MLA Aleixo Lourenco Reginaldo did not comment on the issue.
While BBSM advocates regional languages, another body called Forum for Rights of Children's Education has demanded English as the medium of instruction.