In our idyllic state of Goa there exist over two thousand schools. In almost every school there will be teachers who take great pride in calling themselves a Nirmalite. Perched on the hills of Altinho, Panjim is one of Goa’s premier educational institute, Nirmala Institute of Education (N.I.E.). Its journey of sixty wonderful years commenced in the post-liberation era when an urgent need was felt to have a teacher training institute in the newly liberated Goa. The Society of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary (D.H.M.) took on this task and a new era in the field of education was born. Its inception can be traced to the Nossa Senhors de Peidade Institute on the scenic banks of River Mandovi where the course began. On 17 December 1977, it shifted to its present location in Altinho. The college which was initially affiliated with Bombay University grew into a renowned institution providing pre-service and in-service teacher education. In 1985 it became affiliated to the newly established Goa University.
Guided by the dynamic leadership of Director Dr Rita Paes and officiating Principal Dr Delia Antao, the institution has been instrumental in shaping thousands of teacher trainees since 1963. The institution has housed excellent method masters, professors, and diligent non-teaching staff over the years. “My 35 years at N.I.E. have been glorious – teaching, learning and growing with bountiful happy experiences” expresses retired Prof. Rhoda Almeida.
Today, the institution has a variety of courses such as Pre-school Teacher Education Course, Diploma in Elementary Education, Post Graduate Diploma in Guidance & Counselling and M.A. in Wellness Counselling. Allan Abreu, Former Dean, Faculty of Education, Goa University and Principal GVM’s Dr Dada Vaidya College of Education, Ponda completed his B.Ed. and M.Ed. at N.I.E. “I am elated that N.I.E. is celebrating sixty magnificent years of training teachers in Goa. The institute has definitely honed my teaching skills and launched me into teacher education as a career” he says. This feeling of gratitude is echoed by many teachers that the institution has crafted. “I cannot forget the life lessons that N.I.E. has taught me. The lively discussions with Prof. Sergio Carvalho, the environmental trips, the enlightening teaching of Prof. Jennifer Fonseca and all the other professors back in 1991-92” opines Sandra Noronha D’Silva, senior teacher at Fatima Convent High School, Margao.
Over the years, the institution has had many courses such as M.Ed., B.Ed. in Special Education and even held special courses to serve the need of the hour. Back in the late 1990s, a B.Ed. degree was made mandatory for higher secondary school teachers along with a master’s degree. N.I.E. stepped in and held a special vacation course for the in-service higher secondary school teachers. “Despite being held during the vacations, the time spent at N.I.E. is cherished. The professors we had were simply the best and I can say with certainty that Mathematics teachers across Goa benefitted greatly from the expertise of Prof. Gil Alberto” recalls Mrs Sangeeta Gaunkar of the 1999 special batch.
Today, the B.Ed. course includes several subjects such as Inclusive Education, Learning Resources, Art and Aesthetics, besides the two subject pedagogies. “The subject of Art and Aesthetics provided us with a great opportunity to explore our creativity and imagination. Understanding the nuances and techniques of art was a refreshing venture” comments Christa Cardozo of the 2017 batch. The institute has kept up with the latest innovations and technologies and has always envisaged the needs of the future. In the past few years, the focus has been on teaching using traditional as well as technology-enabled methods. Since the time the course became of a two-year duration, the college has introduced skill enhancement courses such as Bakery, Counselling and Robotics, which have benefitted the teacher trainees greatly. “N.I.E. has always had the vision to think ahead. The experience of working with robotics kits and learning code commands was truly enriching. It is of tremendous help in the current scenario where electives of Robotics and Coding are being introduced in the school curriculum” states Wesey D’Souza, alumna of the 2021 batch. The many celebration days and the famed Abolianchem Fest that the college conducts, provide the teacher trainees with the perfect platform to develop and exhibit their many talents. In the past few years the institution has also made great strides in sports.
The sixty glorious years of the institution have been marked by various accolades and awards. Its alumni consist of teachers based in Goa, India and numerous other countries as well. Several members of the education department, noted politicians and artists are proud to call Nirmala Institute of Education their alma mater.
The Diamond Jubilee Celebration will be held on 19th July from 3 pm onwards on the college campus.
The theme chosen for this year’s special celebration is ‘Discover the Diamond in Every Person’. The logo depicts an open book with a diamond protruding outward. The six decades since the inception of the institute are reflected in the six human figurines in the diamond. The vivid colours of the rainbow symbolise the myriad of talents of the teacher trainees. This logo was conceptualised by the Director, Dr Rita Paes and executed by Raymond Pereira, Asst. Professor in Art and Aesthetics.
Educators across the state hold fond memories of their alma mater. “For me N.I.E. has always been a home away from home. Everyday at the institution was a learning day in which we felt accompanied by individuals that displayed great competence, expertise and passion in their field” reminisces Fr Clive Telles sdb. The continued association of the institute with the many schools across Goa through workshops for teachers and practice lessons for its teacher trainees has helped maintain a lasting bond. “Being a part of the alumni is a lifelong commitment to the growth and success of the institution. I would like to congratulate Nirmala Institute of Education on its Diamond Jubilee celebration” expresses Headmistress of St Xavier’s Institute, Curtorim, Melania da Costa e Vas, alum of the 1990 batch.
The institution has shaped the lives of innumerable students across Goa through the teacher trainees it has helped shape. Its quest for excellence in education continues while exploring and incorporating the current trends of the day.
[The writer is a proud alumna of Nirmala Institute of Education. A second-generation Nirmalite, having followed in the footsteps of her mother, a retired teacher, Neomisa Antao]
