Captured by : Students at ITI Bogda-Vasco protest outside the institute to protest against the sudden transfer of three vocational instructors. Photo: Vikram Nayak
PANAJI: Barely days after a principal and two faculty members at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Farmagudi were suspended following protests by students, the government on Tuesday issued an order transferring 94 instructors from various ITIs across the State.
The sudden transfers of ITI instructors "with immediate effect and in public interest" has led to some unrest, with students of the Vasco ITI protesting against the transfers on Thursday.
The vocational instructors have been directed to hand/take over
The sudden transfers of ITI instructors "with immediate effect and in public interest" has led to some unrest, with students of the Vasco ITI protesting against the transfers on Thursday.
The vocational instructors have been directed to hand/take over
charge within three days and wherever necessary, the same may be extended by a day with justification which shall be recorded in writing by the principal concerned, the order stated.
Incidentally, four vocational instructors have been transferred from the Farmagudi ITI, the institute where students had protested on October 30.
When contacted, Director of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (DSD&E) Aleixo F Da Costa explained that the transfer of ITI instructors "is a normal practice."
"They have been transferred as per the government's policy," said Da Costa.
About 50 trainees from the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Farmagudi had boycotted classes on October 30 to demand action against Roque Coelho, vocational instructor (Practical) at ITI Farmagudi, after alleging that he had extorted money and had harassed them.
The DSD&E had placed Coelho under suspension with immediate effect, in connection with the allegations.
Following the suspension of Coelho, the DSD&E had also placed Group Instructor Vishnu Naik at the of ITI-Farmagudi and ITI principal S S Gaonkar under suspension in connection with the same issue.
Commenting on the large-scale transfers of ITI staff, a source on the condition of anonymity said, "There was too much lethargy in the system and therefore this action was needed."
"Perhaps, the government got some feedback on these 94 instructors and that's why this action was taken. Most of the instructors, who are transferred, have completed more than three years at the same ITI."
Responding to the protest by students from the Vasco ITI against the transfer of instructors, the source added, "These students were instigated by the instructors, who have been transferred."
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Now, Vasco ITI students protest
'sudden' transfer of 3 instructors
THE GOAN NETWORK / VASCO
Following recent protests by students of the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Farmagudi against an instructor, about 60 students of ITI Bogda-Vasco also protested on Thursday but it was in support of their instructors.
The students from the Refrigerator and Air-Conditioning (RAC), diesel mechanics and Computer Operations and Program Assistance (COPA) trades at the Bogda ITI boycotted classes on Thursday morning and protested outside the institute against the "sudden" transfer of three vocational instructors.
In a recent government order, three vocational instructors - Basilio Fernandes, G S Rao and Jennifer Vaz - were transferred to Margao and Farmagudi centres.
The students of ITI Bogda demanded that the transfer orders of the instructors be revoked immediately and also tried to persuade the Bogda ITI principal Kapil Aigal to retain the same instructors.
"We will continue our strike and will not attend classes throughout the year. Why was our instructor transferred without notice and why is he transferred midway into our semester? We want the same instructor as he was excellent," said a student on anonymity.
Another student, Sunil Nimbalkar said: "The new instructor will not know from where to start and probably may not be as good in teaching like the instructor we had. This will affect our learning pattern."
Dhiraj Kumar, another student, added, "Our instructor was very good and kind. He had a passion for teaching. On what grounds was our instructor transferred? Transfer students as well to Farmagudi."
According to sources, the students also met Mormugao MLA Milind Naik and he advised them to attend classes immediately and reportedly assured to look into the transfers.
Sources at the Bogda ITI said the agitating students later attended classes after they were assured that a capable instructor would join soon and training would continue at the institute.
Sources said some policemen in civil clothes were also sent to the ITI to enquire into the incident. The police left after they met the principal, who apprised them about the situation.
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Principal: Transfers
as per govt order
VASCO: ITI Bogda Principal Kapil Aigal said the transfer of instructors was as per a government order and added that instructors from Margao would report to the Bogda ITI.
"They (Students) were trying to persuade me to stop the transfer orders. A new instructor will take over on Thursday. We can be blamed if there was no instructor and I have also reported this matter to my superiors," said Aigal.
Asked if students could be affected by the sudden transfer, Aigal said: "A system call Quality Training Control (QTC) is in place, whereby all instructors of the 10 ITIs get together and decide on a weekly syllabus. Even if the instructor changes, there will be no change in syllabus or shortfall in training."
"The QTC is also involved in preparing the syllabus, which is being taught at all 10 ITIs. Hence, transfer of instructors will have no difference in syllabus. The protest is vague, as sometimes if the instructor is on CCL or medical leave or election duty, we are bound to appoint a guest instructor to complete the training," added Aigal.
Incidentally, four vocational instructors have been transferred from the Farmagudi ITI, the institute where students had protested on October 30.
When contacted, Director of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (DSD&E) Aleixo F Da Costa explained that the transfer of ITI instructors "is a normal practice."
"They have been transferred as per the government's policy," said Da Costa.
About 50 trainees from the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Farmagudi had boycotted classes on October 30 to demand action against Roque Coelho, vocational instructor (Practical) at ITI Farmagudi, after alleging that he had extorted money and had harassed them.
The DSD&E had placed Coelho under suspension with immediate effect, in connection with the allegations.
Following the suspension of Coelho, the DSD&E had also placed Group Instructor Vishnu Naik at the of ITI-Farmagudi and ITI principal S S Gaonkar under suspension in connection with the same issue.
Commenting on the large-scale transfers of ITI staff, a source on the condition of anonymity said, "There was too much lethargy in the system and therefore this action was needed."
"Perhaps, the government got some feedback on these 94 instructors and that's why this action was taken. Most of the instructors, who are transferred, have completed more than three years at the same ITI."
Responding to the protest by students from the Vasco ITI against the transfer of instructors, the source added, "These students were instigated by the instructors, who have been transferred."
------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, Vasco ITI students protest
'sudden' transfer of 3 instructors
THE GOAN NETWORK / VASCO
Following recent protests by students of the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Farmagudi against an instructor, about 60 students of ITI Bogda-Vasco also protested on Thursday but it was in support of their instructors.
The students from the Refrigerator and Air-Conditioning (RAC), diesel mechanics and Computer Operations and Program Assistance (COPA) trades at the Bogda ITI boycotted classes on Thursday morning and protested outside the institute against the "sudden" transfer of three vocational instructors.
In a recent government order, three vocational instructors - Basilio Fernandes, G S Rao and Jennifer Vaz - were transferred to Margao and Farmagudi centres.
The students of ITI Bogda demanded that the transfer orders of the instructors be revoked immediately and also tried to persuade the Bogda ITI principal Kapil Aigal to retain the same instructors.
"We will continue our strike and will not attend classes throughout the year. Why was our instructor transferred without notice and why is he transferred midway into our semester? We want the same instructor as he was excellent," said a student on anonymity.
Another student, Sunil Nimbalkar said: "The new instructor will not know from where to start and probably may not be as good in teaching like the instructor we had. This will affect our learning pattern."
Dhiraj Kumar, another student, added, "Our instructor was very good and kind. He had a passion for teaching. On what grounds was our instructor transferred? Transfer students as well to Farmagudi."
According to sources, the students also met Mormugao MLA Milind Naik and he advised them to attend classes immediately and reportedly assured to look into the transfers.
Sources at the Bogda ITI said the agitating students later attended classes after they were assured that a capable instructor would join soon and training would continue at the institute.
Sources said some policemen in civil clothes were also sent to the ITI to enquire into the incident. The police left after they met the principal, who apprised them about the situation.
------
Principal: Transfers
as per govt order
VASCO: ITI Bogda Principal Kapil Aigal said the transfer of instructors was as per a government order and added that instructors from Margao would report to the Bogda ITI.
"They (Students) were trying to persuade me to stop the transfer orders. A new instructor will take over on Thursday. We can be blamed if there was no instructor and I have also reported this matter to my superiors," said Aigal.
Asked if students could be affected by the sudden transfer, Aigal said: "A system call Quality Training Control (QTC) is in place, whereby all instructors of the 10 ITIs get together and decide on a weekly syllabus. Even if the instructor changes, there will be no change in syllabus or shortfall in training."
"The QTC is also involved in preparing the syllabus, which is being taught at all 10 ITIs. Hence, transfer of instructors will have no difference in syllabus. The protest is vague, as sometimes if the instructor is on CCL or medical leave or election duty, we are bound to appoint a guest instructor to complete the training," added Aigal.
