Team Herald
PANJIM: Confusion prevailed in many high schools over circular issued by the Directorate of Education asking heads of schools to dismiss classes before noon in view of heat wave warning as students were allowed to go home, while teachers in many schools were asked to stay back as there were no specific instructions.
Students studying in high schools across the State were sent home before noon on Thursday in view of heat wave warning issued by the Indian Metereological Department (IMD), Altinho.
Most of the government and aided schools in Bardez and Pernem taluka allowed the students to go home before noon. Some schools closed down their classes by 11.30 am while others by 11.45 am. However, teachers were asked to carry out their regular school works, till working hours.
Don Bosco High School headmaster Fr Avin Carvalho said that he allowed students to go home from 11.30 am onwards as and when their parents came to take them. “We allowed teachers to stay back to ensure that all students go home first and once all students moved out teachers went home.”
At the same time, Fr Carvalho mentioned that there was no special mention about the teachers and the circular was only to dismiss classes before noon.
Headmaster of Miracles High School, Sanguem, Filastro Cardozo said that he allowed students to go home before noon, while teachers stayed in the school as there no specific instructions for them from the department. “After half-an-hour after all students dispersed I allowed teachers to leave the school as it was within our discretion to decide,” he said.
Reacting to the government’s decision to curtail timing in view of the heat wave, one of the parents said that it is a good decision taken by the education department as this heat wave can affect the children since they move out during the peak time.
In a circular issued, the Director of Education Shailesh Zingde has asked the heads of the schools to dismiss the classes before noon for two days – Thursday and Friday, following heat wave warning issued by the IMD.
However, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) Goa president Naushad Chawdhari said that the government ignored the college students and demanded to know whether college students are heat-wave proof.
“Why does Education Minister @DrPramodPSawant always neglects college students? Are College students heat-wave proof?, does it selectively affect students? @NSUIGoa demands that all colleges which come under DHE and DTE should also dismiss their classes before 12 pm like schools,” Chowdhari tweeted.
