BY A GT REPORTER
MARGAO: A demand to include Konkani in Roman script as a medium of instruction in government-aided primary schools was an issue highlighted among others at the public sitting of the Goa legislative assembly's ad-hoc committee on Education, Sports and Information Technology here on Monday.
The sitting, held at the South Goa Collectorate at Margao, also saw issues like donations charged for admissions, more schools being opened within one-km radius of existing ones, mid-days meals to be handed over to Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs), framing of admission policy, vocational education, etc being highlighted.
On the issue of new ones being set up where schools already exist raised by eminent educationist Bhiku Pai Angle, the ad-hoc committee chairman Dayanand Narvekar sought a report from the Director of Education Dr Celsa Pinto on how many had commenced in 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 and how many existing ones have been affected.
According to Dr Pinto, there were 19 new schools in 2008-09 and four in 2009-10. She claimed, the distance criteria had been revoked after it had been scrutinised and a feasibility report prepared with objections from neighbouring schools analysed and hearing, if necessary, granted.
Dr Pinto hinted at plans to shortly conduct school mapping, when it was pointed out by Angle that the present schools were 'dying' because the 3-km radius criteria has been reduced to one-km for new schools.
Censuring former education minister Luizinho Faleiro, in whose tenure the distance criteria was diluted, Angle said no proper study was conducted.
Donations for admissions was another issue hotly discussed. Dr Pinto however insisted that some evidence be provided proof of the allegations being made.
One Mangaldas Chandrakant Prabhu, however accused the department of shielding the culprits saying he had submitted evidence of donations charged by a prominent city school around two years back but no action was taken.
Narvekar agreed with the views expressed and called for a criminal complaint to be filed with the police as the fines of Rs 50,000 did not serve as a deterrent to offenders who seek donations of over Rs 1 lakh. The former IT minister also suggested that the education department probe the April & May bank balances of such schools.
Another committee member Dayanand Mandrekar, Siolim MLA pointed out to cases of admissions being denied to students having acquired less than 50 per cent marks in elite schools who seek only distinction holders.
“What should they do?” he inquired with Narvekar, saying these cases need consideration as it could lead to social incongruencies.
Melson Louis of South Goa Public Interest Action Group (SGPIAG) also highlighted the need to impose a 10-year domicile criteria for migrants who easily avail education in the state. He also sought a scrutiny of the many fly-by-night institutions offering courses in aviation, nursing, hotel management, etc.
Louis also called for an additional government polytechnic for the benefit of those residing in Valpoi, Cuncolim and Canacona areas.
Also present were the committee members, Rajesh Patnekar, Bicholim MLA, Under Secretray Yuvraj Naik, joint secretary J N Braganza and other officials.
