the goan I network
VASCO
The plight of 700-odd students and staff at the government school in Mangor-Vasco continues with perilous uncertainty, as they are yet to be moved out of their crumbling school building and shifted elsewhere.
While parents are reluctant to send their children to school, they are shocked that authorities have been pushed the responsibility on others.
"A tragedy is waiting to happen and we are reluctant to send our children to the Mangor school. I cannot afford private school fees, nor do we want to stop educating our children," a concerned parent told The Goan on condition of anonymity. "I am a mason by profession and know this school can never be safe unless demolished and rebuilt," he said. Former school principal Anil Chodankar claimed he had alerted departments concerned about the unsafe school structure. "At my request, two classes on the top floor were closed," said Chodankar. "Shifting is tedious as authorities may not find big premises in the locality. I request the local MLA to urgently resolve the issue," he added.
When contacted, ADEI David Noronha said they had received a letter from education department on September 29 to shift only those students from the Marathi and Kannada primary sections to the government school at Baina.
"I have instructed the primary section headmaster to shift students of Marathi and Kannada primary divisions to classrooms made available in the government school at Baina," said Noronha.
"Regarding students of Hindi and Urdu primary sections, I have requested the director of education to shift them to a government school at Vasco Main and I await the decision," said Noronha.
Noronha explained he had no authority to decide on shifting of secondary section students. "The secondary section headmistress is on Child Care Leave (CCL) and additional charge is with the headmistress of the govt school (Vasco Main). They have to decide on students of the secondary section," added Noronha. When contacted, government school (Vasco Main) headmistress Gitanjali Parab admitted that shifting of students from the Mango government school was important. "We have also written to the department concerned and are awaiting instructions," said Parab. She informed that 300 extra secondary students and 24 teaching staff would have to be accommodated in one school, adding that it would be a tedious exercise.
"We will have to shift computer labs, science labs, office, students and teachers in separate premises. Classes will be conducted till October 14, after which Diwali vacation will start. I hope some solution to this issue can be taken during Diwali vacations," added Parab.
Vasco MLA to hold urgent meet
VASCO: Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida said he would instruct authorities to shift students from the unsafe government school premises at Mangor to different schools on temporary basis.
"I have been following this issue with GSIDC for three years and even raised the matter in assembly, after which GSIDC agreed to undertake repair work," said Almeida.
"I have been informed that repair work has been stopped by GSIDC due to the unsafe structure and the school has difficulty in shifting students elsewhere. Safety of students is my topmost priority and they cannot be put in difficult situations. Their academic year cannot be wasted by these hardships," he added.
"I will convene an urgent joint meeting with education and GSIDC officials to instruct them to shift the affected students to a different school premises on temporary basis," he assured.
