THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA: By allowing the premises of the school for advertising, Dnyanprasarak Vidyalaya, the over century-old school in Mapusa, has violated the education department’s rule book and could soon invite disciplinary action from the Directorate of Education.
Deputy Director of Education (North) Bhagirat Shettye said there was no question of allowing a school to use its premises for advertising.
“No educational institute can use its premises to conduct an activity for the purpose of generating revenue,” Shettye said.
He further said that seeking permission from the directorate of education does not arise, as the department does not allow such activity.
By promoting a mobile company’s brand, Dnyanprasarak Vidyalaya may have earned the dubious distinction of being the first school in Goa to allow its premises for advertising.
As reported in The Goan, the management of Dnyanprasarak Vidyalaya had recently allowed a mobile company to use its premises for promotion.
Two huge billboards belonging to the mobile company were fixed on the roof of the school advertising the company’s name.
The decision to allow the premises of the school for promotion had not gone down well with former students of the school and a section of the management.
Residents of Mapusa continued to slam the management’s decision to lend its premises for revenue.
“Education is not a business, it’s a noble profession. What example is the management setting for the students? It clearly appears that they are only for money,” said Mahesh Rane, a resident of Khorlim and a lawyer by profession.
Former teacher who retired from the New Goa High School condemned the move of Dynanprasarak Vidyalaya saying it was totally unacceptable.
“School is not revenue generating institution. Government gives grants to schools for maintenance and salary of the staff. Besides, the PTA raises funds whenever the need arises for infrastructure development of the school,” Salkar said.
“This is nothing but commercialization of education and if one school starts many others will follow. We need to maintain the sanctity of the institution,” he added.
