Team Herald
MARGAO: State’s senior educationist in vocational studies are praying for a miracle so that the sector is saved.
The recent announcement of the government on the floor of the Goa Legislative Assembly has worried many as the vocational education has been a boon to the Goans for decades.
Former vocational Teachers Association President and a 30 years experienced teacher Umesh Kolwalkar while speaking on the vocational education sector in State said, “I pray that the government will continue with vocational education in State.”
“Let numerous students benefit from the skill based vocational education,” he said while adding that the services of the remaining temporary teachers in the vocational stream be regularised soon so that vocational education in Goa can scale new heights, with hardworking and dedicated staff.
Several teachers who have given yeomen services in vocational education while accepting and completing other academic works in their institutions are taken aback due to the announcement of the government.
“We were asking for regularisation, but the government seems to have different plans which are going to end our careers and employment,” said a teacher.
Every year around 2700 to 2900 students are answering Goa Board examination in the vocational stream, and the number is increasing every year.
“The vocational studies cater to the lower percentage scoring students. Today, many vocational institutions get phone calls and recommendation letters from ministers and other officials to admit students, who were unable to get admission elsewhere, into the vocational stream,” says Kolwalkar.
Recognising the importance of vocational education and the demands from the student community, the then government and the former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar regularised the services of the temporary teaching and non teaching staff in 2001. 7.5 crore were sanctioned and released to all the higher secondary institutions imparting vocational education for the up-gradation of their laboratories. Also, after completion of five years every contract teacher’s services were regularised on a timely basis.
“With my vast experience in the field of vocational education, I strongly feel that vocational education in State is a boon to parents, students and the society. Since more and more students are opting for skill based education. It is high time that the present government encourages and permit other higher secondary schools, to start the vocational stream in their respective institutions,” urged Kolwalkar.
