PANAJI
The Directorate of Education (DoE) on Friday withdrew its controversial circular that had made prior written permission from the department mandatory before schools could allow any external individual, organisation or group to conduct lectures, awareness programmes, seminars or other activities on campus.
Sources said the circulars were withdrawn with immediate effect following directions from the State government, amid criticism from political parties and civil society groups. The Goa Forward Party (GFP) and the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) had strongly opposed the move and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
In an order issued on Friday, Director of Education Shailesh Zingade said the circulars dated July 6 and July 9 stand withdrawn.
"It is brought to the notice of all educational institutions in the State of Goa that the circulars issued by the Directorate on July 6 and 9 are hereby withdrawn with immediate effect. The instructions contained therein shall cease to have effect," the order stated.
The now-withdrawn circulars were issued following a communication from the North Goa Collector based on inputs from the Superintendent of Police, Special Branch, Panaji, regarding programmes organised by the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) in certain educational institutions in the State.
The Directorate had stated that security agencies had placed the organisation under scrutiny, citing concerns that its ideology and activities could be detrimental to social harmony and national security. It had maintained that the measures were intended to safeguard students and preserve a neutral academic environment in schools.
The circular had also clarified that imparting communal or sectarian ideology, or organising activities unrelated to education, was contrary to the provisions of the Goa School Education Act, 1984, and the Goa School Education Rules, 1986.
Under the withdrawn guidelines, schools were required to seek prior approval from the DoE before inviting any external organisation, while submitting details of the organisation, speakers and programme content for scrutiny. Schools were also directed to report any suspicious activities by outside individuals or organisations to the local police and the department.
