With the shutting down of Chowgule College Higher Secondary School (HSS) Arts section, a massive void has been created in Margao as this was one of the most favoured of institutions across South Goa.
“The college would take 100 students across two divisions. For years they had set the benchmark and gave a platform for students pursuing the Art streams. It was also at a very convenient location for Margao residents,” said Maria Lourdes Fernandes, a mother of two children. Fernandes’ first child was a student at Chowgule HSS Arts section and her youngest daughter wanted to follow her brother’s footsteps but now has to look elsewhere.
Parents of students wishing to send their wards to the Arts streams complained that though there is a rush for the Science stream, students have options in and around Margao while there aren’t many options in the Arts stream.
Carmel College in Nuvem, Kings School at Sao Jose De Areal and Manovikas at Gogol are a few options but they are not enough.
“As it is the number of students entering Class XI is increasing and the education department should have taken sufficient steps to ensure that the Arts students don’t have to run from higher secondary to higher secondary with a fear of seats getting filled,” said Charmaine da Costa, a teacher.
Earlier parents would not be inclined to send their children across the Zuari river to HSS institutions at Panjim and Mapusa but given the current predicament in Margao, parents are now even considering this.
“There is also a general perception that students should only take science and that this is a safe option as they can always change to another stream after Class XII. Students are as it is discouraged to take up Arts even if they are genuinely interested,” added Da Costa, while stating that this will only worsen the scenario.
“Chowgule College HSS Arts also offered a lot of programmes that helped the students develop their skills and hone their talent and it is a sad day that students no longer have this option,” added Fernandes who is a Chowgule alumnus herself.
Educationists point out that in other states like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore there is a rush for the premier Art streams but that was not the case in Goa. They point out that it is a trend among many of the Carmel College HSS and former Chowgule HSS Arts students to try and pursue their bachelor in Arts outside Goa.
St Xavier’s College Mapusa remains the most favoured option for students who wish to graduate in Arts. “There is a need to improve the quality of education in Goa especially the languages and it is disappointing that the State government is not doing enough to tackle the decline. Goa is lagging behind other states and I feel it is not even keeping up to the standards that were existing in Goa in the past,” said advocate Uday Bhembre.
