THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
Citizens' group Together for Mapusa (TFM) has urged the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) to operationalise the long-pending E-Library facility at the Athaide Municipal Library and create a dedicated section of books and reference material for competitive examinations to benefit students and job aspirants.
In a representation submitted to the MMC Chief Officer, Kaushik Desai, the group said the Athaide Municipal Library has traditionally served as an important centre for learning for residents of Mapusa and neighbouring areas, but the proposed E-Library facility has remained non-functional despite being planned for several years.
The group stated that with education increasingly dependent on digital resources, the library should be equipped with internet-enabled computers, digital subscriptions and other online learning facilities to provide students, researchers and readers with access to modern educational resources.
The representation also highlighted the need to strengthen the library's collection of study material for competitive examinations.
It noted that although Goa enjoys one of the country's highest literacy rates, relatively few candidates succeed in prestigious examinations such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination, Goa Public Service Commission examinations, Staff Selection Commission (SSC), banking and railway recruitment tests.
According to the group, one of the reasons is the limited access to quality study material, particularly for students from economically weaker sections who cannot afford expensive books and coaching material.
TFM has requested the municipal council to procure and maintain a dedicated collection of books covering UPSC Civil Services, Goa Public Service Commission examinations, SSC, banking and railway recruitment examinations, general knowledge, current affairs, aptitude tests, NCERT textbooks and other standard reference books commonly recommended for competitive examinations. It has also sought subscriptions to relevant periodicals, magazines and newspapers for aspirants.
The group further stated that local self-government institutions should play a larger role in promoting educational and social development, and that providing accessible study resources could help produce more administrators, police officers, professionals and public servants from Goa.
Among its key demands, TFM has urged the municipal council to immediately start the E-Library facility, allocate adequate funds for procuring competitive examination books and journals, establish a dedicated reading section for aspirants and organise orientation programmes and career guidance sessions in collaboration with educational institutions and subject experts.
