Dear Editor, The local newspapers have reported (Sunday, October 21st.) that the Chief Minister, in the course of a celebration of the Mushtifund Saunstha, has announced the formation of an "Integrated Education Advisory Council" to decide on education policy right from the pre-primary stage. This announcement has come as a surprise and will cause considerable confusion in the minds of educational institutions and of educationists in general.
The Goa Secondary and Higher Secondary Board Act and Rules, 1975 already provides for the establishment of a Board, which, inter alia has the responsibility "to advise the Government on matters of policy relating to secondary and higher secondary education in general and on the following matters ......" The Goa School Education Act, 1984, similarly, has a provision for an Advisory Board "... for the purpose of advising the Government on matters of policy relating to education in the Union territory." The announcement by the Chief Minister, reported in the Press, does not make it clear whether the "Integrated Education Advisory Council" which he proposes to set up will be in addition to the Boards required to be set up under the two pieces of legislation, or whether it will supplant those statutory Advisory Boards. As the head of the Government, it is incumbent on the Chief Minister to make important announcements only after due and careful consideration of the existing realities, and after consultation with his advisers. It does not behove a Chief Minister to make announcements in a casual manner, as if to score political points over his political opponents. In any case, there is cause for a clarification now that a public announcement has been made. With kind regards, Yours truly, Averthanus L. D'Souza, D-13, La Marvel Colony, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004. Tel: 2453628.
