Renovation works started in 2018 still incomplete 161 students have only 2 permanent teachers, no clerk
The Government High School at Cotigao.
CANACONA
A school with 161 students has only two regular teachers, some teachers visit the school only few days in a week and school building renovation works which began in in 2018 are yet to be completed.
This is the plight of the Government High School (GHS) at Cotigao, which has been performing very well at board examinations with 100% results at SSC examinations for the last eight years.
Speaking to reporters, Cotigao Government High School PTA Chairman Narayan alias Paiek Velip says the government is not only neglecting the school by not posting the required number of teachers, but renovationworks of the school building continue to drag on since the last five years.
“Renovation work of the Cotigao GHS started in 2018 and has been going on at snail’s place. Due to improper execution of works, all four gates including the main-entrance school gate have rusted and do not open/close. The classrooms and office floor works are not completed, while electrical works (wires, etc.) are hanging all around and is very unsafe,” said Velip.
“The hall has no stage and is incomplete and though the roof is covered with sheets, many other works in the entire building are presently incomplete.”
Velip said the school has performed well with 100% results at the SSC exams since the last eight years despite not having the required teaching staff.
“There are only two permanent teachers for Science and Computer subjects in this school. Two primary-level teachers are employed in this high school. The Headmaster, Physical Education teacher and art teachers visit the school only two-three days a week. Besides, the school has no clerk for administrative works.”
Velip said there are presently 161 students in the school and parents are now beginning to withdraw their children from the school because of negligence by the education department.
Velip added that these issues were discussed threadbare in the recent PTA meeting.
“The parents took a serious note of the problems and were of the opinion that if the government did not complete the school renovation work immediately and did not show urgency in posting the required teachers, then they were willing to take appropriate action, even to the extent of protesting on the street,” said Velip.
