Meet to resolve Chowgule impasse today
TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Will the College and district authorities take into account the safety concerns of Chowgule Higher Secondary students, especially that of girls, at the joint meeting of the stakeholders called by the district Collector ND Agrawal to resolve the Chowgule impasse on Monday noon?
Students of the higher secondary school had on Saturday protested the new school timings from 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm, saying that it would not only affect their studies, but also throw up safety and security concerns especially for the girl students.
Agitated students have contended that classes for XI Science at Chowgule HSS were being conducted in the morning session over the years and wondered whether the new timings of holding classes in the evening is an attempt to force them leave the institute. Incidentally, when students had put up this question to Principal RV Gaonkar, he replied that this condition of school timings was made clear when the merit list was put up by the School.
Incidentally, agitated teachers of Chowgule HSS, who were protesting over the closure of the staff room on Saturday, said the girl students would face safety and security risks if the management is allowed to stick to the 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm schedule. “There are instances of students and girls being molested and attacked during the day while returning from schools or while heading for tuitions. Is the Chowgule management so unconcerned about the safety of girl students who will have to leave the campus only after 6.30 pm”? argued a teacher who also said some come from neighbouring villages of Salcete and down South.
Meanwhile, Chowgule higher secondary teachers blamed the management for the uproar at the campus on Saturday. Prof Srikhant More said the management had never bothered to hold discussions with the teaching staff about any decisions. He said decisions were conveyed to the teaching staff via e-mails and at the last minute.
