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---------------------------------------------------- Govt's uncaring concern for education-I ---------------------------------------------------- by Roque Dias
Nothing could illustrate in a more explicit manner, the government's uncaring concern for education, than the running of the Sarkari Pratamik Vidyalaya, the primary school at Cajor-Quepem in the vicinity of a cow shed.
A visit to the village of Cajor in Quepem taluka, which is thickly surrounded with cashew plantations, will reveal this unusual scene - a cattle shed converted into a school classroom.
For last 40-years this primary school used to run in one room, but with the increase in the number of students, two years back the villagers had to take such an unusual step which was incidentally inaugurated by the former MLA.
The generous cow shed owner, who reportedly charges a rent of Rs 190 per month for the place however feels proud in explaining "the steps were taken in the interest of the students' education".
"Nearly 50 students from standard I to IV are studying here in this room besides the children from ward Chinchepan, the neighbouring village also attend,'' says the Budvont (village leader), Mr Santu Davllo Gaunkar. "To avoid these children sitting in the open spaces for the education, under the scorching sun or heavy rains, this step was initiated.
The sarpanch, Ms Ranjani Gaunkar says that panchayat also could not undertake the renovation work of this school. The villagers are angry at the apathy of the government officials. They complain "despite bringing the hardship faced by the kids to the state government's notice, no one has paid heed to their genuine problem. Not even the education department,"
Says Zilla Panchayat (ZP) member of Balli constituency, Mr Rohidas Naik, "I had put the proposal before the state government to construct a new GPS to these children. But the government did not pay any attention. The issue even figured in the ZP meetings several times but unfortunately it has no powers to construct the new premises or to extend the existing one. ----------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 20/10/03 page 6 -----------------------------------------------
======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
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