Education Dept asks Sancoale HS to revive stream

Education Dept asks Sancoale HS to revive stream
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JUNE 10
The Education Department has withdrawn its earlier letter for closure of the Arts stream in the Shantadurga Higher Secondary School based at Sancoale, thus bringing relief to both students and parents who had requested the Director of Education to revive the stream.  
In a letter dated July 29, 2009 the department had directed the higher secondary to stop admissions to the Arts stream on account of poor enrolment. But the high pass percentage (83 per cent) at the SSC Board exam and the ATKT (allowed to keep term) for those failing in two subjects made the department to ask the school to revive Arts stream.
The latest letter issued by Deputy Director of Education Anil Powar states the ATKT in two subjects and high pass percentage had resulted in large number of students seeking admission to higher secondary schools. Also, the department has permitted many schools to open extra divisions to admit surplus students, he mentioned.
Powar said the Government had decided to provide admissions to all children rather than opening new higher secondary schools.
Parents residing in Sancoale, Cortalim and Cavelossim had expressed fear closure of the Arts stream would put their wards to great inconvenience as they would have to travel 15 to 18 kms for admission to the next higher secondary.
In a representation to the Director of Education the parents mentioned the Shantadurga HS at Sancoale was the closest falling within 8 kilometres of all the three places.
The parents said classes for Std XI will commence on June 14 and the decision of the Education Department was a welcome relief.