TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: In a major decision, the State government has granted permission to close the higher secondary school run by the Smt Parvatibai Chowgule Education Society, Margao, albeit in a phased manner. This institution is one of the oldest, post-Liberation educational institutions in the State. The decision could be termed as a major U-turn by the Manohar Parrikar government, which had assured that it would take over the management of the school if society found it difficult to run it.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar informed the House that the permission has been granted to the college to close in a phased manner beginning from the academic year 2015-16 for the 11th standard and from 2016-17 for the 12th standard. The order was issued on May 23.
As per the details tabled on the floor of the House, the permission was granted in accordance with Rule 33 of the Goa School Education Rules, 1986 with certain conditions including that the higher secondary will continue to admit 11th and 12th standard students for the academic year 2014-15 as per the existing norms and as per its allowed strength.
“The students admitted to the 11th standard during the present academic year shall continue to receive education for 12th standard for the academic year 2015-16,” the order reads.
The order issued by the Director of Education Anil Powar further says that ‘the classes for 11th and 12th standard shall continue to be run in the present premises of the higher secondary together with all other ancillary and incidental facilities such as the library, the laboratory, the administrative sections etc, in the said premises until the end of the academic year 2016-17.’
The permission was granted following a request from the society management. The Government has said that the permission was granted as per the High Court order, which had directed government to decide on the application of the management in accordance with the law.
Government in its reply has said that the management of the college while submitting the application seeking permission to allow closure has said that ‘the college has introduced many diverse and untapped employment oriented courses in public interest. These courses are unique in the state of Goa. The college has planned on introducing more such courses n the years to come. The college is focusing on building employability skills into the curriculum’.
The Government decision was condemned by the Fatorda independent legislator Vijay Sardessai who accused government of a U-turn. Sardessai informed House that Chief Minister had assured to take over the management of the college and not allowing it to shut down.
