#TG LIFE
The recent announcement by chief minister, Manohar Parrikar regarding the intentions of the government to consider neighbourhood school complex concept for future grant-in-aid to schools has caught the academicians, parents and also the students in imbroglio. In his statement, the chief minister who also holds the education portfolio has made his intentions clear that once the neighbourhood school concept was implemented properly, “no school will shut down and no case of denied admission will be found.
Admitting that there wouldn’t be a shortage of students in any school due to this policy, parents claim they would be forced to zero down on schools in their areas and which may not be the school of their choice.
“This policy is like clipping our wings. Why should I be forced to admit my child to a school which I feel is not up to the mark in terms of security, facility or standards of education,” said Nayana Shanbhag, parent from Vasco.
Another parent Ajit Prabhu, from Baina feels that the government must insist on providing quality education instead of coming out with such a proposal. “Some schools maintain the reputation with 100 percent results while some schools have discipline as their main agenda.
The government should not force their proposal on our choices and decide for parents. With this policy a school in Vasco may not admit a student from Sada fearing action from government and withdrawal of grant. Education must be kept out of politics,” says Prabhu.
Meanwhile, a principal of a reputed school in Vasco, on grounds of anonymity, said, “To be honest, we have to abide by the rules laid by the government but there is a small sadness we may face when we have to say no to a student not from the vicinity but wanting to take education from our school. Today, we have students from Cortalim as well. If not for government proposal, why should we say no to anyone wanting to study in our school,” said the principal.
While a section of parents stay firm on their right to send their child to the best possible school, irrespective of the distance, there are others who want to give the government a chance to provide everyone an equal opportunity to learn. Arun Bhat, chairman, managing committee of Shradhanand Vidyalaya, Ponguinim said, “As a citizen of Canacona, I myself find this idea a fantastic one. Due to this, every school will actually have to improve their standards and not rely on the students’ hard-work solely. While majority of the success is done by the students, faculty plays a role.” He also pointed out that some school are involved in picking up the students based on their performances. “Schools these days venture for 100% results and hence pick students from areas almost 20-25 km away from the school area. This can diminish a child’s performances because by the time they get home they have no stamina left,” said Bhat.
Socorro Dias, a parent who migrated from Canacona to Navelim said, “It’s a good policy. After spending 10 years here, could not get admission in a Navelim higher secondary for my son. Now he has to travel all the way to Chinchinnim. This will not happen” Elvis Fernandes, a parent from Canacona feels that the government should first focus on upgrading infrastructure of schools. “The Neighbourhood school concept is an injustice to the students. If anyone wants to study in better schools, then their right will be denied to them by the Neighbourhood concept,” he adds.
Vivid Pawaskar, professor at a college in Canacona points out, “A strong PTA can ensure standards are set and met. Like the “no detention policy” positive intentions are at times met with negative results.”
The president of Goa Headmasters’ Association Vithoba Desai has welcomed the policy provided it is implemented properly at the government level without any political interference. He also pointed out the political affiliation of the managements of most of the private aided schools in the state which he feels would influence the decision making of the government.
“While framing the policy, the government should also consider factors such as transport, geographical location of the school etc. Blindly considering the distance figure would not be feasible,” he adds saying that the picture would be clear only when the government comes out with the details.
(With inputs from Vikram Nayak, Uday Sawant, Kathy Fernandes)
