Birth of Higher secondary school at Navelim
The little known genesis of Higher Secondary school at Navelim has to be said . A ;private party had applied for opening of Higher secondary school at Navelim The party had no administrative expertise , educational background or infrastructural background The DSE was not even aware of this move nor was it contemplating its presence and much desired foothold in South Goa. I was heading the Secondary school at that relevant time .The then Director of Education Mr S.V.Kurade in his goodness, interests and foresight asked me to carry this message personally to the authorities for an immediate response, failing which the request was in all likely hood would be considered. It was not incumbent upon him to sound the DSE. Accordingly I met the then Ex Officio Chairman of DSE and conveyed the message. The rest is history. It will be seen , as aforementioned, how the Higher Secondary School at Navelim came into existence and not with any particular regional considerations, as expounded vociferously to day. The final decison was of DSE and Fr Rober Vaz only with all good intention but without any consultations and approvals. .The presence of DSE in the South was a much felt need to meet the Educational requirements, opportunities of the students of the surrounding areas,not specifically of the concerned area in particular. The student strength for all these years has been drawn from all over surrounding areas. for its survival. There was never difficulty ofgetting admission for those who sought. It would be academically interesting to know , how many students from Navelim patronised the place in the past years, as a new twist is given under political pressure of appeasement. Fortunately to day, as the result of the first step, the edifice has grown into a full fledged college and Navelim can be justifiable be proud. and reap the benefits. It is the Govt of Goa, which incurs major expenditure and pays rent for the premises and other infrastructural facilities. With the increase in pass percentages and uncertainty of near closing of popular facility at Margao, the pressure to secure admission is real .There must be a sufficient cut off percentage to join Science stream and to be able to cope up with. When the demands are high those obtaining higher marks stand a better chance on merit without discrimination and favouritism .Why in the past there was no clamour to join the institute at Navelim ? Are those who scored high percentages from Navelim seek admission at Navelim as the first preference or are they those, who are refused even an admission form elsewhere? The St Xaviers College at Mumbai in sixties had a policy of reserved quota for catholic students , who could not compete on merit with the very high scores of other students. The admission was however on merit basis of the Catholic students seeking admissions and not as a matter of enforceable right. This was Constitutionally, legally permissible \as the college enjoyed minority status . Such a criteria can be put in place . Goa Govt has a policy of geographical limits for high schools, but it is not fair to deny talented students the choice of Educational Institutions The credit of opening the Higher Secondary School at Navelim, legitimately goes to DSE ,as the founders . I am rather sceptical about any employee claiming, assuming the credit as the founder. Suffice it to say, one can at the best have the honour, privilege of being the first Head and responsible for laying good foundations to stabilise the Institute The Manager Fr Robert Vaz assured and extended full support to provide all the infrastructural necessities and without whom the starting of this facility would at best remain a dream unfulfilled The DSE could not force unilateral decision without his positive and active cooperation Nelson Lopes Chinchinim Click here to Repl
