the goan I network
PORVORIM
It was set up decades ago to train youth in seamanship and marine technology, but the Maritime School of the Captain of Ports at Britona has been hit by staff shortage and poor infrastructure.
The Maritime School has been functioning without a full-time principal since 2008 and two posts of teachers are lying vacant. According to sources, the government has not been serious in the appointment of a full-time principal since the last 11 years. “The government has appointed a retired naval officer on ad-hoc basis to look after the administration of the school. He received payment for the first two years and since then, he has not been paid for his services for a number of years,” the source said.
The source also stated that while five teachers were sanctioned for the Maritime School, only three are presently imparting courses to students. “Besides, there were two security guards, of which one has retired and there has been no recruitment of a new security guard.”
The source added that though students from different parts of Goa attend classes at the Maritime School at Britona, there are no hostel facilities for them. The source also highlighted the condition of the building housing the maritime school.
“Since the condition of the old Maritime School building and hostel which was constructed 44 years ago, had been in bad condition, and the Captain of Ports decided to close down this building and construct new one in its place. A number of years have passed since the closure of the old building, but a new building has not been constructed as yet.”
“When authorities decided to demolish the old building, the office was shifted to a nearby shanty-type structure. Classes are also being conducted in this unhygienic structure for the last several years,” the source said.
