FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday
announced to shift the proposed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) from
Loliem in Canancona taluka to an alternate site, even though he contended that
the apprehensions raised by the locals over the educational project was
‘unwarranted’.
Meanwhile, the State Cabinet this morning accorded its
approval for transfer of 4,56,767 sq mtrs of land at Cuncolim to Union Ministry
of Human Resource Development for setting up National institute of technology
(NIT), after Ministry assured to reserve 40 percent sub quota of the total 50
percent reserved seat, exclusively for the State.
Addressing media person’s post cabinet meeting, Parrikar
said that people in Canacona have apprehensions as far as IIT project is
concerned which ‘I feel is unwarranted’.
“Hence, we have started process to look for an alternate
site…there are variety of options before us. PWD Minister (Ramakrishna
Dhavalikar) has proposed two sites in Ponda, which we are studying,” Chief
Minister said.
“We intend to finalize the site by July,” Parrikar, who is
also Minister Education, added.
Chief Minister informed that the project requires huge land
of around 10-11 lakh sq mtrs. He said having such premium institute in Goa will
help the state to make available the local resources, which otherwise have to
go for IIT Mumbai.
The Loliem village is divided on the issue, with one section
supporting while the other opposing the project. It has even become a crucial
issue for the ongoing Panchayat polls.
Speaking about the NIT, Parrikar said that considering Goa
as special case, the MHRD ministry approved 40 percent reservation of seats
exclusively for Goans at NIT and accordingly, the cabinet has decided to
transfer the 4.56 lakh sq mtrs of land to the Ministry for setting up the
project.
“As per the understanding between the State and MHRD, the
land has to be given by the State government and all other infrastructure and
expenses will be incurred by the Union government. We will be spending around
Rs 40 crores on the land itself,” he informed.
Of the total 50 percent quota, Goa is set to get 40 percent
exclusive seat reservation at the NIT while the remaining 10 percent seats of
the home state quota will be reserved for students from Dadra Nagar Haveli,
Daman and Diu, and Lakshadweep. Until now, the 50 percent home state quota at
NIT Goa was shared by Goa with these Union territories, he said.
“Besides this 40 percent, if seats from the 10 percent quota
of the UTs are not filled for a particular year, those seats will also come to
Goans,” Parrikar added.
NIT Goa became operational in 2010; however the land was not
transfered. “In next four-five months the construction will start,” he said.
We want to make Goa
an educational hub; Knowledge centre, Yoga in the physical education CM
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said that government’s aim
to bring down all the major institutions to Goa is to the State an educational
hub- a knowledge centre.
“We want to make Goa a sector of educational excellence …an
educational hub…a knowledge centre,” he commented.
Government is toying up with the idea of introducing ‘yoga’
as a part of value education in the educational curriculum of state board.
“The syllabus of the Goa board of secondary and higher
secondary education has become easy compared to CBSC. We will improve the
syllabus by giving thrust on quality education in the curriculum,” he said.
Parrikar said the concept of value education has been
incorporated in the syllabus which includes knowledge on personal hygiene,
importance of following traffic rules, civic sense and yoga.
“The composite package of the value education is being
prepared by the experts. A team of 20-25 people who are experts in this field
are on their job,” the Chief Minister said.
He said the entire package would be placed before the people
for their feedback.
Stating the need to improve the syllabus, Parrikar said that
the increasing number of passing percentage of students for board exam means
that the students are either getting intelligent, teachers are teaching well or
the question papers are set easy.
The Chief Minister said that the government is busy
preparing the concept on how to improve the quality of education in the State
which would be placed before the stakeholders. “I will have to throw open the
idea to the people; but for that I need to have a fair idea of how to go ahead
with the value education. We are currently formulating that idea,” he said.
Panjim ITI to be
model institute; cabinet decides
The State cabinet has granted its approval for developing
the Panjim Industrial Training Institute (ITI) as model ITI with major focus on
hospitality sector.
Government has decided to tie up with a reputed city based three-star hotel for developing the ITI into a model institute.
