PANAJI
The State government introduced a scheme to provide unused school land and buildings to non-profit institutions and social organisations through a notice published in the official gazette dated July 22, 2021, and the Directorate of Education identified 68 vacant school building land parcels for allotment to the eligible non-profit institutions and social organisations on July 17, 2021. The schools were identified on March 25, 2022.
AAP Velim MLA Cruz Silva asked for the details of the government departments/NGOs that have applied for utilizing the government primary schools identified by the education department. The MLA also asked for the details of those organisations that have been selected for allotting these vacant premises.
Answering this question, CM Pramod Sawant, who holds the Education portfolio, replied that the education department has identified 68 government primary schools that are vacant, and are to be allotted to government organisations or NGOs. This was during Bhushan Savaikar’s tenure as director of Education.
Sawant also stated that the date of the high-powered committee meeting is not yet finalised to select vacant school buildings for allotment.
However, the Education Department identified seven vacant school buildings to eligible non-profit organisations on June 14, 2022, during the tenure of Shailesh Zingde as director of education. These government primary schools are from Bondirwada Tuem Pernem, Chivoi Virnoda Pernem, Tulshimol Valpoi Sattari, Farmagudi Ponda, Agapur No 1 Ponda, Bondai Betul Quepem, Vantem Fatorpa Quepem.
A notice was issued in the official gazette regarding the allotment, and interested NGOs were asked to apply within 15 days. The notice also said that preference will be given to government departments or organisations. This was during the tenure of Bhushan Savaikar as Director of Education.
Several NGOs, government organisations and other associations showed interest in 53 vacant government primary schools across Goa, however, Konkani Bhasha Mandal was one NGO that showed interest in utilising 20-30 schools out of these 53.
