State schools to have Konkani textbooks soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the first time, the state will have school textbooks in Konkani language. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has started preliminary works to bring out the textbooks in Konkani language. The move will benefit over  the six-lakh-strong Konkani linguistic minority communities in the state.  The two-day workshop for developing Konkani textbooks concluded here on Wednesday. Konkani language experts from different parts of the state took part in the workshop. SCERT director K A Hashim inaugurated the workshop. Representatives of various organisations, including  Bharatiya Konkani Bhasha Vikas Sabha, P G Kamath Foundation, All-India Konkani Parishad and Konkani  Language Institute participated in the workshop. The textbooks for standard V is being developed this year. SCERT director apprised the meeting that the textbooks for other classes would be prepared in the coming years.  The SCERT is also planning to introduce the Konkani teacher training programme  diploma in language education. The workshop also developed the approach document and syllabus for classes V, VI and VII.  SCERT director Hashim told ‘Express’ that the textbooks from classes V to X would be developed in due course.The textbook for class V is being developed this year. This would mean that the teaching of Konkani would begin in schools from next academic year, he said.