Goa govt seeks to start new Konkani-Marathi schools
 
Panaji, Jun 10, 2012: After supporting Konkani-Marathi as the Medium of Instruction (MOI) in primary schools, Goa government has invited applications from institutions to start new schools in these two regional languages, to be financially backed. State Education Department has appealed to educational institutions to start Marathi or Konkani medium primary schools. They have been asked to send applications by June 26.
 
"The state government will provide financial assistance to these new proposed schools. Existing English medium primary unaided schools can also switch over to Marathi or Konkani medium and avail this assistance," a press release by the state government reads. Chief minister Manohar Parrikar has already announced one time grant of Rs 12 lakh for the new schools in Konkani and Marathi, besides an annual grant of Rs one lakh each for next five years. BJP-led government had earlier announced that only Konkani-Marathi and not English would be the MOI in schools. While making the announcement, Parrikar had allowed grants to 100-odd schools, which had shifted from Konkani-Marathi to English during the last academic year.
 
In yet another decision, state government has also relaxed the criterion of distance between two schools. A government spokesman said that the distance criterion of one kilometer has been abolished provided the existing school had a strength of less than 40 students. According to rule 31 of Goa School Education, there should be more than one kilometer distance between two schools.