The issue of change in school timings i.e full day school is held in abeyance since the Model code of conduct has come in force owing to the announcement on 2nd May 2005 of bye-elections to the five constituencies where vacancies have arisen as a result of the political turmoil from 29 th January until 4th March 2005 when Presidents rule came into force following the Goa Legislative Assembly being placed under suspended animation.
In any case the same will NOT be implemented come this academic term (2005-06) beginning 5th June 2005 although a survey is underway to assess a) the feasibility of introducing English as one subject at the Primary level I - V std in Konkani and Marathi medium primary schools. b) the full day school timings We,at South Goa Public Interest Action Group (SGPIAG) a registered NGO based in Margao,Salcete, South Goa District ,with jurisdiction, at present, over the entire South Goa District have carried out a random tele-survey and personal interaction with parents and some teachers in South Goa District (both in the Old and New Conquests Talukas) on the above issue and the general opinion is The majority is against blanket introduction of full day school in the nearly 1241 schools in Goa for the reasons as under: a) schools lack the necessary infrastructure toilet facilities clean drinking water facilities, proper illumination of classes and play grounds or common (rest) rooms, fire safety or libraries and congested classes with archaic benches and ill-ventilated rooms; b) fear of instances of food poisoning owing to cheap quality of food by suppliers who take up tenders of catering to mid day meals. Parents would not want to sacrifice the health of their wards, they feel it would be ridiculous to subject a child to a frugal meal when at their residence within five kms of all schools in Goa the child can get quality food that almost all parents in Goa with a high per capita income as compared to the rest of the country can afford c) the full day school in the absence of safe and most unreliable transport in Goa despite exhorbitant fares and rising instances of rape molestation even of children, who may find it difficult to reach home during peak hours where transport is erratic and specially during monsoons or winter has left several parents especially working parents and those abroad concerned over the security of their wards as school authorities cannot be held responsible to ensure the safety of each child outside the school campus. Therefore they have expressed their willingness to accept such a scheme ONLY where each section Secondary or Primary decides in consultation with the respective Parents Teachers Association the Management and the Department of Education and the same is approved for each school and not a blanket imposition of the same. For the moment parents have reacted positively to the proposed introduction of atleast one subject English as mandatory in every primary schools, though those conversant with written (nagri script) and spoken (sanskritised version of Konkani) continue to clandestinely oppose this move only to ensure scope for their wards for employment in Government services For SOUTH GOA PUBLIC INTEREST ACTION GROUP Regd No 171/GOA/2000 dt 12.12.2000 sd/- TERENCE MAZARELO PRESIDENT (SGPIAG) 1st Flr Benlix Bldg Opp Fatima Convent Margao Goa India [EMAIL PROTECTED] weblink http://mumbai.sancharnet.in/manojnd FAX +91 832 2712430 HELPLINE (24 hrs) 9822158584 Tel +91 832 2731373 (O) re: percy ferrao <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Please let me know if the controversial full day > school scheme in Goa has > been implemented or is the issue still pending ? > > Thanks > Percy Ferrao > Ealing Road. > > ________________________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your life partner online Go to: http://yahoo.shaadi.com/india-matrimony
