the goan I network
MAPUSA
Questioning the “mob mentality” that led to the disruption of classes at the St Thomas Higher Secondary School, the Chairman of Fransalian Education Society Fr Jayaseelan Selvaraj said external forces had no business to interfere in the internal functioning of the school, even as he accepted everyone’s right to take judicial recourse.
“We wish to inform our parents, staff, students and all concerned that we as citizens of India are bound by the laws in force and hence governed by the Doctrine of Internal Management, Goa School Education Act & Rules of 1984, Constitution of India and our own Congregation’s Code of Ethics,” Fr Selvaraj said reading a skilfully crafted statement to the media.
The Provincial Superior and Chairman, Fr Jayaseelan Selvaraj, on Wednesday met and reportedly held a cordial discussion with the members of the Parent Teachers Association for almost two hours in the morning. For the second day, classes continued to function uninterrupted on Wednesday.
The Provincial Superior said the society was deeply hurt with the “lopsided” news reports on various news channels and social media and the subsequent noisy scenes by mobs in the school campus instigated by disgruntled elements. “In the context of allegations and distorted news reports, we wish to clarify that both our priests viz. Fr Diego Fernandes and Fr Valeriano Carvalho are ‘not suspended’ but ‘relieved’ of the delegated responsibilities for reasons that have been communicated to the members by their Major Superior,” he said.
He also said that Fr Diego Fernandes, whose appointment was approved only on lecture basis, could not be continued for signing official documents of St Thomas HSS and hence was requested to report to Pune for his future responsibilities. The Provincial Superior appealed to all parents, ex-students and other locals from the Aldona village to refrain from disturbing the learning environment in the St Thomas HSS, Aldona.
“It will not only impact the young minds of our student community but also malign the name of our school. It will be befitting that parents, staff and students understand the efforts of the management for the holistic growth of the institution,” Fr Selvaraj said in a signed statement.
He assured that the management of the Fransalian Education Society will strive to ensure excellence in the field of education.
St Thomas HSS Principal Fr Gerard Sahayraj, Manager Fr Robert, Fr Johnson Gonsalves and almost all the members of the PTA were present for the meeting.
