[Goanet] Education Minister Goa University

2008-11-16 Thread Miguel Braganza
. Samir Kelekar and you help to prove this moral of the story. Nice try, just 
the same. Perhaps, the case can be best argued by the so-called 
Advocate-at-large when someone takes the Higher Education to High Court 
over the blatant lies being told to the unsuspecting academicians and student 
community in Goa. The Goa Education Rules of 1992 ... for giving Grant-in-Aid 
to Primary Schools only if they teach  in an undefined [in both the Goa 
Education Act, 1986 and the Official Language Act,1987] LOCAL language 
...contrary to the letter and spirit of the OLA 1987 which has a proviso that 
reads 'nothing contained in this Act will be used to discriminate on the basis 
of language in matters of religion, culture, education  or words to that 
effect.

I do not know why Goans think that the Rat-snake [Malunn] has two mouths. That 
is not true at all!!! ;-)

Mog asundi

Miguel

Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:47:00 +0530
From: Dr. U. G. Barad [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [Goanet] Education Minister  Goa University
Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1

Mr. Education Minister I would still like to pose some questions which I
hope you would answer: 

Please bring out White Paper on following issues: (1) who had drafted the
proposal seeking the so-called up gradation of Goa University? (2) Who
presented it to the Chief Minister (who was at that time holding the charge
of Education portfolio)? (3) Who presented it in the PMO and MHRD??
Further, was this proposal discussed in the State Cabinet? Was it discussed
in the Assembly which enacted the Goa University Act? Is it not necessary
for the Assembly to express its willingness to repeal the GU Act before
Parliament enacts Act for centralization of GU? 


Best regards,
Dr. U. G. Barad 







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[Goanet] Education Minister Goa University

2008-11-15 Thread Dr. U. G. Barad

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Mr. Education Minister I would still like to pose some questions which I
hope you would answer: 

Please bring out “White Paper” on following issues: (1) who had drafted the
proposal seeking the so-called ‘up gradation’ of Goa University. (2) Who
presented it to the Chief Minister (who was at that time holding the charge
of Education portfolio?). (3) Who presented it in the PMO and MHRD? 
Further, was this proposal discussed in the State Cabinet? Was it discussed
in the Assembly which enacted the Goa University Act? Is it not necessary
for the Assembly to express its willingness to repeal the GU Act before
Parliament enacts Act for centralization of GU? More importantly, was it
discussed by various statutory bodies of Goa University, including the
executive council, before the Vice Chancellor made a public reference to its
advantages in his by now famous interview to the local press on 30th March
2008? What was the reason to keep the stake holders in the dark if the
proposal was beneficial package for Goans? 

I’m sure you won’t answer these questions for they are equally tough. And
should you answer you will have to vacate your chair which you got after
marathon racing and erasing!! OR shall we concentrate on distributing Laptop
to students?

Best regards,
Dr. U. G. Barad 





[Goanet] Education in Goa: Pedagogy for the poor, English for the rich?

2008-07-27 Thread Miguel Braganza
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

2008 Toronto International Goan Convention
Theme: Goan Identity And Networking Today.
http://2008goanconvention.com/index.php

Mario Miranda Festival, July 24-26,  2008 Old GMC Building
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2008-July/077732.html

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 




--- On Sun, 27/7/08, Miguel Braganza [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:










Dears,
 
Read the news item at the bottom first.
 
 
No one is complaining aloud about the DIFFERENTIAL fee structure in our 
professional colleges and other educational institutions. What we have 
consistently objected to is the compulsion made by the Government of Goa, aided 
and abetted by the ABE and DSE, for the rural poor to learn in the LOCAL 
ALNGUAGE [ Marathi, Konkani, Kannada, Urdu and Telugu, as seen TOI report on 
Chimbel GPS today]. The winning edge that the students in Goa had since 
liberation till 1992 has been lost in the transition from Std.IV in the 
vernacular [ in the Devanagri script for Marathi and Konkani   with the 
exceptsion in Perso-Arabic, Kannada and Telugu scripts ] to Std. V in English 
[exclusively in the Roman script]
 
We object to the Aam Admi Government for its pro-rich industrialist, mine owner 
approach. We criticise private elitist school managements. We criticise our 
Konkani-wadi politicians and at least one former Editor of a Konkani newspaper 
for sending their children to Sharada Mandir school while preaching pious 
sermons about their love for Konkani. So what is the Archdiocese of Goa, the 
DSE and ABE trying to prove by starting the ICSE schools for the urban elite in 
Margao and Vasco for starters?  
 
1. Mark Twain:
God made idiots. That was for practice. He then made the School Boards.
 
2.St. Peter, the first Pope. 
 
Let me quote St. Peter's letter to the Romans, the part that the Good News 
Bible titles as The conflict of Man
 
QUOTE We know that the law is spiritual and I am a mortal man, sold as slave 
to sin. I do not understand what I do; for I don't do what I would like to do; 
but instead I do what I hate. Since what I do is what I don't want to do, this 
shows that I agree that the law is right. So I am not really the one who does 
this thing; rather it is the sin that lives in me.
Romans 8:14 to 17.
 
The DSE knows my views by now. Would you care enough to send in your views on 
the press clipping below?? The DSE's email ID is DSE Goa [EMAIL PROTECTED].  
The ball is in your court: have your say now  or forever hold your peace!
 
Mog asundi.
 
Miguel
 
PS
The message to the DSE , reproduced below, is truncated for brevity.


--- On Sun, 27/7/08, Miguel Braganza [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:











Dear President/Secretary of DSE,
 
I am reading about the DSE's shift from its stated pedagogy of 1992 with 
dispair. If the Archdiocese Board of Education and the Diocesan Society of 
Education has realised its mistake, it is time to admit it and apologise as the 
Pope shows how, since the days of Pope John Paul-II, or do as St. John and 
Jesus exhorted their followers repent and be saved Dispense with the sham of 
pedagogy and tell it like it is!
 
The argument put forth by apologists for the DSE’s starting of English medium 
ICSE schools in Margao and Vasco may be that the parents of students should be 
able to afford the fees to make the experiment workable. If the DSE schools 
adopt the differential system of fees, charging Rs.1,000/- to the children of 
the rich and Rs.200/- to the poor, it can run in many centres like Bicholim, 
Sanquelim, Anjuna, Colva, Majorda, etc that do not have a single English medium 
“Primary” school. Differential fees are not something new. Even the “Vijaya 
Ashram” Home for the Aged managed by the Chairman of Mustifund High School had 
this system functioning beautifully. If the quality of service is good, the 
rich will not complain, and the poor will bless you for the act of Christian 
charity.    
Mog asundi   
Miguel Braganza 
 . . . . . . 
. . .. 
Navhind Time Sunday 27 July, 2008, page P5. [Copied from the Net version at 
www.navhindtimes. com ] 
 
Salgaocar speaks in favour of English medium schools 
NT NETWORK

 

VASCO ”The Chairman of Sharada Mandir School, Miramar and industrialist, Mr 
Dattaraj Salgaocar said that venturing into opening of schools without 
government funding is a great task. 
  
Mr Salgaokar was addressing as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of 
ICSE Boards, St Andrew's School in Vasco. 
  
The Director of Education, Dr Celsa Pinto, diocesan society of education, 
secretary, Rev Fr Zeferino D'Souza, Principal of St Andrew's Institute, Vasco 
and Parish Priest of St Andrew's Church Rev Fr Jose Antonio Da Costa, Mormugao 
Municipal Council (MMC), Chairperson, Mr Kritesh Gaonkar, former Chairperson, 
Mr Sharad Chopdekar, St Andrew's Higher Secondary School Principal, Ms Cheryl 
Colaco, 

[Goanet] education in goa

2008-05-15 Thread jane gillian rodrigues

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Dear Sir,

As per Frederick's e-mail below - We on Goanet would like to know what 
action the Catholic clergy of Goa, as well as Goa govtmt has taken, 
regarding schools who purposely fail students in large numbers, in 9th std, 
and 11th std, so that the schools can achieve, proudly and shamelessly their 
claim of 100% pass in 10th std. and 12th std.


Failure of students in 9th and 11th std means that the school has not 
employed teachers, who themseves are 1st class graduates in their chosen 
subject of teaching.  In fact, schools and colleges who fail students should 
be charged with a hefty fine and reasons should be given in writing as to 
why these children have failed.


We are all aware, that failing school and college students, leads to 
suicide, criminal behaviour etc.  of goan youth.


Regards,




 But that was obtained by slaughtering all but 25 pupils the previous 
year.


From:  Frederick [FN] Noronha *    

Subject: Re: [Goanet] Hundred percent results

Do some institutions attain 100% by keeping out 'weak' students from their
portals? The real challenge would be to include those who are considered
potential 'drop outs' and create options for them (in whatever field). 



Re: [Goanet] EDUCATION IN GOA [3]- Response to Bosco

2007-03-12 Thread Bosco D'Mello

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On Tue Mar 6 22:27:50 PST 2007 Joe Vaz wrote extraneously (as expected) :

 If you really want my honest response to your irrelevant questions,
 give it another try, but be civil next time.  If your intent is to get me
 down to your level of aggressiveness, name-calling and abuse, -- 
 you be rest assured I will not oblige. :-)

RESPONSE: Joe, honesty and you ?? Geez!! By resorting to counting words and 
pointing out a single typo in my earlier response, you answered the query I 
raised in my very first message on this thread. You have absolutely no 
interest to discuss Education in Goa, but are only participating in this 
thread to continue your usual self-absorbed elocution. In your convoluted 
logic of persisting in this discussion, you now feel compelled to point to 
posts of others on this subject (not thread) to console yourself.

For someone who had to resort to a 'drive-by' and who has actively engaged 
in acerbic debates on Goanet over the years, I'm surprised to see you 
pleading to be handled with kid-gloves. Did you really miss the civil 
opportunity I afforded you in my very first post to explain yourself for 
drawing me into this thread:

http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2007-February/054524.html

In response to your query, please note my kids will not go to school in Goa 
as their parents don't live in Goa. They would, if we lived there. Again I'm 
surprised by your query after you pleaded in your last message not to get 
personal. I suppose you want it one-way only.

Now since you choose to indulge in grandstanding and running around in 
circles instead of responding to direct questions, and would prefer the safe 
confines of ambiguity, I will draw my own conclusions in identifying the 
reasons for your insiduousness in this thread :

# 1 - You draw attention to Tony Martin because he said what you wished to 
say but don't have the mettle for, which is to criticize the DES.
# 2 - You started at me because I silenced Gllenda's constant abuse of the 
Catholic Church in Goa. Something you were happy was happening.
# 3 - You would prefer to intimidate me into not contesting your nonsense, 
just because I'm a member of Goanet Administration. Another form of 
censoring.
# 4 - You would rather demonize than discuss as you have done here over the 
years.

So while you state you don't have the time for frivolous exercises, you 
certainly are not one to let go of the hegemony of thought. So yes, you are 
definitely coming
back with more nebbish. So keep writingand practice the art that is 
advanced by comrade Gilbert earlier today.

Ohh.to improve your sagacity, I've left some grammatical aberrations in 
this post for you to unearth. Good luck!

- Bosco 



Re: [Goanet] EDUCATION IN GOA [3]- Response to Bosco

2007-03-07 Thread Joe Vaz

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Enjoy your holiday in Goa. Stay at THE GARCA BRANCA from November to May
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On Fri Mar 2 20:07:13 PST 2007  Bosco D'Mello bospam at canada.com wrote:

In breaking with my two-posts per thread tradition, I'm back. To afford you 
another opportunity to explicitly point out what it is I said ...



Hi Bosco:

If you really want my honest response to your irrelevant questions, give it 
another try, but be civil next time.  If your intent is to get me down to 
your level of aggressiveness, name-calling and abuse, -- you be rest assured 
I will not oblige. :-)


BTW— just to let you know, I went through your last post of 1557 words.  
Sadly, I couldn’t find anything worthwhile that you tried to share in your 
post, except the abuse that you so gratuitously hurled at me.


I will let you bask in your own glory -- as one who knows all about Goa’s 
Education system, and what’s good for Goans. You sound more like Goan 
politicians who advocate an erratic education system – saying that’s what is 
good for children in Goa.  Isn’t “what’s good for the goose, good for the 
gander” as well?  Our elected representatives must learn to practice what 
they preach, and lead by example.  Ask them where their kids do/did their 
schooling, and you will learn the truth.


Nevermind what Tony Martin said about porn. Do kids in Goa own a 
Playstation or an X-Box among other gizmos?


I don’t know. Do I need to?
But I believe, you missed the recent post on the education subject, by Tony 
Martins --  Freelance Writer and Author , Galgibaga, Canacona, Goa.  If you 
cared to check the Goanet archives, you would find numerous such posts from 
other netters, against the current system of primary education in Goa.



Do you really go to Goa, like you claimed in an earlier post?


Why? Do you have any doubts, or know otherwise?

That's a cop-out! Are you really interested in a serious discussion on 
Education in Goa? I honestly cannot say that my kids are in a better school 
than any in Goa.


Oh, really?  Interestingly, you deflected the question, whether you would 
send your kids to Goa, to prove your professed theory that: education in 
North America ain’t any better than in Goa. Isn’t that what you are saying 
in your above statement?


I clearly stated There is plenty wrong with primary education systems the 
world over. Goa is no exception.


“Two wrongs do NOT make a right - or does it?

Another cop-out! There is no need to get defensive. While you may have the 
aptitude, you lack the ability to DECIDE anything about Education policy in 
Goa. The only ability you have is to decide which school your child 
attends. The last government withdrew funding for several schools and there 
was barely a wimper.


Right! “wimper” (?) No; not even in “Hinglish.”

Earlier Bosco said thus:

We are talking about Education here. Not the job market. I don't think the 
economy and the related job market are part of this thread.


And later he said this:

So what is it that you are inferring but don't have the conviction nor the 
gumption to say directly? And how do you know who is paying taxes in India 
and who is sending money by hawala?


Are you are saying that Education and Employment are NOT related, but 
somehow “hawala” is?   “Hawala” is an illegal activity, I’d think.  Are you 
seriously advocating/introducing the “hawala” system vs other means of 
sending money?


You may have voting rights; how many times have you voted? Having the right 
is one thing; exercising it is something else.


Now, why would you be so concerned whether I vote(d) or not? Does it really 
matter to you in North America, on how many times we vote in India?


Never mind your rights, which you are unable to exercise. You belie your 
own purported altruistic intentions by choosing to repeatedly eschew 
answering a simple question I asked you ?


Are you saying you are psychic now? How do you know, I am unable to exercise 
my rights. Do I really need to reply to your provocative and gratuitous 
abuse? Can’t I exercise my right not to reply to frivolous and irrelevant 
questions? :)


When was primary education in vernacular languages introduced in Goa? NOW? 
Are the problems being observed NOW?? A decade and a half later?? Or are 
you waking up NOW because somebody in your family is being directly 
affected by this policy?


Hold your horses, Bosco.  Don’t get personal about this. Before making false 
and preposterous accusations, and realizing you’ve ‘put your foot in your 
mouth’ --  why don’t you review 

Re: [Goanet] EDUCATION IN GOA

2007-03-02 Thread Joe Vaz

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Enjoy your holiday in Goa. Stay at THE GARCA BRANCA from November to May
 There is no better, value for money, guest house.
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Hi Gilbert,

You make some thoughtful and valid points.  It is crucial to have a 
formidable foundation in English education right from inception, so that our 
youth have an even platform (level-playing field) to learn, compete and ride 
the wave of prosperity.  Essentially, empowerment through education will 
enhance economic and social standards that contribute towards building a 
strong and successful society.


Although, you are probably aware of what follows, I will write this for the 
sake of others who may not know.


You are absolutely right.  Learning must begin at pre-primary level.  The 
child’s brain is ready for information intake at birth or even before, while 
thought process (reasoning and logic) might begin later. Nevertheless, 
learning begins long before school does.  It is therefore essential that 
parent-child (or human) interaction is prevalent in some form to enable the 
child’s growth mentally; physically and to keep the child healthy.


The key factor is “human interaction” —and child care providers, should 
focus on the child’s growth, learning, development and the environment – all 
of which are conducive to a child’s optimum advancement.


Unfortunately, this does not happen in most under-developed or developing 
countries, because of poverty or impoverished conditions, where the need to 
earn a livelihood becomes more pressing than the need to fully focus on the 
child.  This is increasingly true of a single parent trying to balance life 
between caring for the child and earning a living.


As you know, in years yonder, a majority of Goans in Goa had to leave 
children at home to work in paddy fields or do other manual labor. The 
privileged, (few exceptions,) were in the minority. Add to this the low 
literacy levels amongst these hardworking people, which further exacerbated 
the problem.


Since knowledge is traditionally transferred from parent to child, —the 
illiterate (and semiliterate) were significantly disadvantaged and 
marginalized.  This situation worsened when children had to work alongside 
parents in fields just to make ends meet, leaving no prospects for 
schooling.


In the worse case scenario, the rich exploited the poor – and often the 
Bhatcar (landlord) had the Mundkar (tenant) and including his children work 
for him i.e. tilling the bhatcar’s land and doing menial jobs -- for almost 
free.  This exploitation was more pronounced in south Goa than the north, 
I’d believe.


The shackles of bondage were broken, basically when Goans began to work on 
ships; some found employment in the Gulf; some emigrated, others got 
employed in neighboring states (not necessarily in that order).  It is 
noteworthy, that those that left Goa did not want to come back; the only 
idea of returning was for a vacation. Tourism then was a trickle.


It is heartening to note that gradually the tide began to turn and foreign 
remittances began to flow into Goa, mainly from the Gulf and those working 
on ships, and things began to change for the better. Goa’s economy began to 
grow and swell to the extent that Goa is now considered the richest state in 
India (per the wikipedia) and boasts a robust and growing economy.


Now, we see literacy levels rising in Goa, and things are changing (albeit 
slowly) on the education front; God willing we will get there. Some got out 
of that “stranglehold” and have excelled, others had the opportunity to 
leave the shores of Goa and prosper -- mainly because of favorable 
circumstances and/or opportunities that crossed their paths.


Primarily, school performance in Goa is closely tied to language, as in 
other parts of the country. Currently, there is a visible and wide “gap” 
between the language of instruction and spoken language in Goa, which often 
inhibits learning and leads to apathy within the child toward school work.


The medium of instruction Konkani, which is taught in schools, is not the 
same Konkani as spoken in a majority of the homes, in Goa. The Devanagari 
script used in schools to teach Konkani, is hardly used outside of the 
school environment; even the Bible written in Konkani is in Roman script. 
So, you can imagine the chaos and confusion.


In the present situation, we do not have a solid basis for education either 
in English or Konkani, and the current education delivery system seriously 
needs changing to English medium.   Additionally, there is an acute 
disparity in the 

Re: [Goanet] EDUCATION IN GOA [3]

2007-03-02 Thread Bosco D'Mello

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Enjoy your holiday in Goa. Stay at THE GARCA BRANCA from November to May
 There is no better, value for money, guest house.
  Confirm your bookings early or miss-out

  Visit http://www.garcabranca.com for details/booking/confirmation.

Joe,

In breaking with my two-posts per thread tradition, I'm back. To afford you 
another opportunity to explicitly point out what it is I said that lead you 
to make a string of inferences about things I did not say.

 But please don't raise your hopes - that people
 will take your sagacious advice seriously, based
 on your educational experiences in North America.

 Get this: If Goans were Eskimos, they would be
 living in igloos. ;) [Nothing against Eskimos,
 but don't expect people in Goa to live a lifestyle
 of the West.]

RESPONSE: Get real! What kind of lifestyle are the people living now? What 
kind of language are you propagating they use as the medium of instruction 
in schools ? Hinglish? What kind of movies do people watch ? How are food 
consumption habits and dining patterns changing? What kind of clothes are 
the youth wearing these days ? What tools are students using while 
researching on the the internet ? Are youth going to internet cafes for 
research? Nevermind what Tony Martin said about porn. Do kids in Goa own a 
Playstation or an X-Box among other gizmos? What is all this - not a 
knock-off lifestyle of the west?? Do you really go to Goa, like you claimed 
in an earlier post?

 Interestingly, you make some perplexing points,
 based on borrowed advice (hearsay).

 If Goa's education system is as robust as you
 (and your western proponents) say, why don't
 you consider sending your children to Goa for a
 primary or higher education?

RESPONSE: That's a cop-out! Are you really interested in a serious 
discussion on Education in Goa? I honestly cannot say that my kids
are in a better school than any in Goa. Provincial results on standardized 
tests were announced yesterday for Grades 3 and 6. Not exactly something to 
crow about for many schools.

 This will help test your professed theory:
 that alls well with the education system in Goa.

RESPONSE: Would you please point out when I stated the above? When did I say 
that alls well with the education system in Goa?

 Now, you are saying that since North America is experiencing high dropout
 rates, makes it okay for Goa to have phenomenal school dropouts?

RESPONSE: I did not espouse the above. But you are welcome to twist what I 
said.

 BTW- in the US there are cases where students carry guns and shoot fellow
 students; so using your above analogy, what advice would you dispense to
 students in Goa?

RESPONSE: School shootings in US / Canadian schools is not an everyday 
phenomenon. I have no advice for the students in Goa. What I have is advice 
for people like you who have their heads buried in the sand. Besides 
violence in schools in Goa (which already exists at different levels - no 
guns involved yet) there are/will be more 'improper' activities ongoing or 
ocurring in schools - remember the case of the kids in the Delhi school and 
the magical cellphone camera and other such vices. All imported from the 
west? I suppose no bullying goes on in schools in Goa. Still wearing your 
blinders? Check out how some youth are spending their Sunday afternoons at 
the internet cafes - you may classify that as indulging in entertainment of 
the west! Well, couch-potato kids in the west end-up leading unhealthy lives 
(physically).

 But your position is that nothing is wrong with Goa's education system.

RESPONSE: Again, you choose to misquote me. That's your prerogative. I 
clearly stated There is plenty wrong with primary education systems the 
world over. Goa is no exception.

 Will the North American and UK settled Goans not
 allow those in Goa the privilege to decide what
 is best in their interest?

RESPONSE: Another cop-out! There is no need to get defensive. While you may 
have the aptitude, you lack the ability to DECIDE anything about Education
policy in Goa. The only ability you have is to decide which school your 
child attends. The last government withdrew funding for several schools and 
there was barely a wimper.

 BTW- Bosco, don't you think that I have the right
 to project my views based on my first hand experience
 in Goa, considering that:

RESPONSE: Never mind your rights, which you are unable to exercise. You 
belie your own purported altruistic intentions by choosing to repeatedly 
eschew answering a simple question I asked you ? Are you really interested 
in discussing Education in Goa or grandstanding?

 1. I studied in Goa, and by virtue of that fact I'm speaking
 from my 

Re: [Goanet] EDUCATION IN GOA [3]

2007-02-27 Thread Joe Vaz

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Hi Bosco,

Thank you again for your most enlightening post, as expected. But please 
don’t raise your hopes — that people will take your sagacious advice 
seriously, based on your educational experiences in North America.


Get this: If Goans were Eskimos, they would be living in igloos. ;)
[Nothing against Eskimos, but don’t expect people in Goa to live a lifestyle 
of the West.]


Interestingly, you make some perplexing points, based on borrowed advice 
(hearsay).  If Goa’s education system is as robust as you (and your western 
proponents) say, why don’t you consider sending your children to Goa for a 
primary or higher education?   This will help test your professed theory: 
that alls well with the education system in Goa.


On  Mon, 26 Feb 2007 02:02:06 -0500 -Bosco D'Mello [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
writes:


Joe,
As expected, you had to take the cop-out!!

…you came back with a second round of sanctimonius absurdities.

Nevertheless I'll indulge you with a response.

On Sat Feb 24 10:04:19 PST 2007, Joe Vaz wrote:
 You say education is a societal issue and how did the society inherit
 this issue/problem?

RESPONSE: Santosh has provided some social (societal) reasons. Sunith Velho
has espoused some dramatic reasons.
# 2) There is plenty wrong with primary education systems the world over. # 
3) Dropout rates in rural areas will always be greater than urban areas

the world over. Don't micro-manage Goa, only. Look up statistics for North
America; they will mirror the information provided by Santosh (not to that
extent).

---

Now, you are saying that since North America is experiencing high dropout 
rates, makes it okay for Goa to have phenomenal school dropouts?  Great 
advice from the west! Any takers in Goa?  BTW— in the US there are cases 
where students carry guns and shoot fellow students; so using your above 
analogy, what advice would you dispense to students in Goa?


Goa’s Education Minister recently made a remarkable move to make amends to 
the education system, and Goa’s Archbishop has encouraged the steps in that 
direction. But your position is that nothing is wrong with Goa’s education 
system. Will the North American and UK settled Goans not allow those in Goa 
the privilege to decide what is best in their interest?



BTW— Bosco, don’t you think that I have the right to project my views based 
on my first hand experience in Goa, considering that:


1. I studied in Goa, and by virtue of that fact I’m speaking from my 
experience in Goa and its education system.


2. I have worked in Goa (temporarily), and I know the employment situation 
in Goa, which BTW has not drastically improved since past decades.


3. I have interacted with students in Goa, and to a certain extent 
helped/help them in enhancing skills, time and opportunity permitting.


4. I have interacted with teachers and parents in Goa, who confirm their 
students/wards are facing problems in schools more now than ever, with the 
introduction of primary education that is totally in vernacular language.


The fact that private English-medium schools are growing at a phenomenal 
rate, undoubtedly proves that a BIG majority of parents want their kids to 
take up primary level studies in English teaching schools, even though it is 
highly expensive.


5. I am a taxpayer in India, with full voting rights and interest in Goa.

Let those who wear the shoe say whether it fits or not.  It is always 
convenient for those who do NOT have a stake in Goa’s education system to 
“sanctimoniously” pontificate what is good or not, for Goa.


Best wishes,

Joe Vaz
Feb 27, 2007

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
. . . . . . .  . . . . . . .
All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced 
that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth. – Aristotle
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
. . . . . . .  . . . . . . .


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[Goanet] EDUCATION IN GOA

2007-02-26 Thread Gilbert Lawrence

  http://www.GOANET.org 


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Hi Joe,

You have made some good and specific points.  Here are some thoughts.

Primary education is important as you point out.  Yet, it is my understanding, 
even more important is pre-primary education. This includes both KG and pre-KG, 
when the infant's brain is developing.  Based on this, perhaps new parents (and 
grandparents) should form their own parent-pool and teach the pre-KG children.  
Learning from what my own grandchildren are going through, these kids should 
read, write and memorize the old fashion way - songs, nursery rhymes, basic 
prayers etc.  One does not need a school, a church, priest, nun to organize 
this. So if we fail here, ho soglo guneaum amcho Goenkarancho. 

The drop-out rate in Goa, like in the USA, is not school or money related. It 
is more likely a flawed upbringing at home and starts very young.  This is 
important in today's nuclear family where the grandparents and other relatives 
may be far away. Actually the nuclear family is yesterday's social unit. 
Today's young family is more likely to be a single-parent unit. 

The poor English communication skills can be corrected with Parent-Teachers 
Associations having old-fashioned elocutions, debating contests, drama, essay 
writing competition, spelling bee, summer book reading programs, etc.  Parents 
should stop blaming teachers, priests, nuns and schools. Rather they should 
volunteer and cooperate in these extracurricular activities; casting away their 
concepts of podhi and patrade (pride and prejudice).  

Would we not love to read posts from Goa's school and college students on 
Goanet?  A few years ago WGD had a essay-writing competition. I do not know how 
successful it was in encouraging students to participate.  In life one can take 
the horse to the water, but one cannot force the horse to drink.  I 
congratulate you for sparing your vacation to Goa to share your computer and 
language skills. Now are there no native Goans with these skills? This is a 
golden opportunity to volunteer or be entrepreneurs.

Kind Regards, GL

-- Joe Vaz 

I agree, many Goans are doing (or have done) extremely well for themselves in 
many parts of the world wherever they work or have settled.  

But now we are talking about primary education in Goa. IF our current education 
system is solid (assuming that we have a very good primary education system) -- 
which is the foundation for a better secondary and higher education, -- then 
why are we seeing the phenomenal number of dropouts? Can you explain?  You say 
education is a “societal issue” and how did the society inherit this 
issue/problem? 
 
In a recent conversation with a Canadian born friend (whose parents migrated 
from India) observed that many of our Indian engineers lack the English 
communication and presentation skills, which is a major obstacle for their 
advancement.  I fully agree with him.  We want our children not merely to have 
a good education but also to acquire the best communication skills, -- the lack 
of both is abundantly evident in Goa. 
 
Every year during my trip/s to Goa, I set aside time to teach young boys and 
girls computer and language skills.  I think it is time well spent and a 
worthwhile investment.  Often, I am saddened that a majority of our Goan youth 
is not well equipped to meet the harsher challenges in the outside world.  It 
is sad that they struggle to produce a reasonably well written job application 
in English. No wonder they are forced to settle for low paid jobs.


Re: [Goanet] EDUCATION IN GOA

2007-02-24 Thread Joe Vaz

  http://www.GOANET.org 


This month's Goanet operations sponsored by Mrs. Daisy Faleiro

  If you would like to sponsor Goanet's operations contact:

  Herman Carneiro - [EMAIL PROTECTED]




Hi Bosco, first off thanks for listening to the homily; I thought that yours 
was even more interesting. :)


I agree, many Goans are doing (or have done) extremely well for themselves 
in many parts of the world wherever they work or have settled.  But now we 
are talking about primary education in Goa. IF our current education system 
is solid (assuming that we have a very good primary education system) -- 
which is the foundation for a better secondary and higher education, -- then 
why are we seeing the phenomenal number of dropouts? Can you explain?  You 
say education is a “societal issue” and how did the society inherit this 
issue/problem?


I hope you are in a better position and vantage point in speaking for the 
Goan community on issues like primary education in Goa than most of us.  For 
your sake, I hope the whole of the Goan community (in Goa) would agree:


(1) that our Goan  “kani/kaneos don’t wash,”
(2) that there is nothing wrong with Goa’s current primary education system;
(3) that the statistics on dropout rates reported (in the link below) are 
wrong and,
(4) that the teachers who teach in Goa  and claim the current education 
system is hurting our children, are all wrong?


I have seen the problem first hand in Goa. I know what it is like -- to be a 
victim of an education system that is often chaotic and confusing. Studying 
Konkani in the formative years and then suddenly being forced to learn the 
major subjects in the English often becomes a difficult and daunting 
barrier.


I was fortunate to learn my mother tongue Konkani at my mother’s knee. I 
love my mother tongue very dearly, and will not trade it for any language in 
the world.  Yet, will the world at large recognize my language (Konkani) 
when it comes to offering me a job, based on the proficiency of my own 
language?  No, not even my Goa state will provide me a well paying job if I 
am not proficient in the English. So where do I go? How am I to survive?


It is good that you had (or availed) the opportunity to emigrate and make a 
fortune for yourself, just like the few others you speak of.  I am truly 
happy for you and wish you the very best.  I am happy myself.  I had to 
leave the shores of Goa in order to increase my prospects for a better 
education and land with a comparatively decent job to support my family and 
also contribute to my homeland Goa.


In a recent conversation with a Canadian born friend (whose parents migrated 
from India) observed that many of our Indian engineers lack the English 
communication and presentation skills, which is a major obstacle for their 
advancement.  I fully agree with him.  We want our children not merely to 
have a good education but also to acquire the best communication skills, -- 
the lack of both is abundantly evident in Goa.


Every year during my trip/s to Goa, I set aside time to teach young boys and 
girls computer and language skills.  I think it is time well spent and a 
worthwhile investment.  Often, I am saddened that a majority of our Goan 
youth is not well equipped to meet the harsher challenges in the outside 
world.  It is sad that they struggle to produce a reasonably well written 
job application in English. No wonder they are forced to settle for low paid 
jobs.


As an individual, someone who is not saddled with the above situation can 
readily dismiss the current education system as a non-issue.  However, when 
we look at it collectively as a community, we can see the real problem and 
its repercussions on the larger sections of the society, and therefore as a 
bigger and haunting issue. So, please don’t pick a few people and make 
examples of them. Surely, the few do NOT represent the many.


Now, make no mistake -- I am NOT against the Catholic Schools and what they 
teach and stand for.  In fact I am a product of Catholic institutions and 
the diligence and dedication of some the most brilliant and admirable 
teachers I have known.  The schools in Goa are rather forced to impart 
education the way they do now, or else they will be denied Government 
grants. It is not that teachers are not doing their best, rather it is our 
Goa Government that is deliberately pursuing a flawed and erratic education 
system.


Even the infamous Bal Thakery of Mumbai, who was against the English 
language, realized his folly and later emphasized the importance of the 
English language.  He even called upon his sons to take up English lessons 
as the language was becoming increasingly vital with the advent of 

Re: [Goanet] EDUCATION IN GOA

2007-02-21 Thread Bosco D'Mello

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  Flat for Sale: Mapuca, Goa (Ansabhat) - 10 min walk to Mapuca Market
  2 Bedroom-Living-Dining-Kitchen-Bath-Balcony-Terrazo Floors
 Great Investment - Winter Getaway
  Asking Canadian $ 31,500/-  or  Indian Rs 10 lakhs

Contact Rosario Fernandes - [EMAIL PROTECTED]

On Tue Feb 20 01:15:55 PST 2007, Joe Vaz wrote:

Surely, Bosco would have a different perception of the situation if he were
living (and studying/studied) in Goa these past years.  After all, it is
always one's point of view depending on the place, perspective and plateau
from where one speaks.  However, on examining the scenario locally in Goa,
one would painfully paint a different and dreadful picture.

Let's not kid ourselves. Wouldn't it be wiser for people to speak from
statistics, rather than from solitary case(s) or based on pure assumptions?
In fact, the (primary) education in Goa has degenerated to a shocking level
- largely contributing to the rapid and alarming 'dropout' rate of students.

Our erratic education system in Goa is taking a catastrophic toll on our
children's education and adversely impacting their future.  Thanks, to
cheerleaders who think and advocate otherwise.

RESPONSE: Hi Joe. Thanks for the homily. I say homily because it was/is not 
a discussion, as yet. Now before I respond to your grandstanding, would you 
kindly point out what it is that I said that led you to speculate on my 
perceptions and plateaus. I'll be glad to make a point or two on education 
in Goa. But first, please be specific and tell us what it is I said that 
piqued your interest. Thank you.

And while I have your attention, where have you been these past 8 weeks with 
Gllenda marauding the Catholic church. You and Gilbert have been the 
vanguard of Catholicism on Goanet (no sarcasm intended or implied) for years 
now. Mario only lately for ideological purposes. It has been left to Selma 
(agnostic), Bonefacio (gentleman) and me (cafeteria catholic) to try and 
tame the bull in the china-shop. Pray tell me, does your silence mean you 
concur with her disparaging comments on Catholicism in general and the 
Catholic Church in Goa?

- Bosco 



[Goanet] EDUCATION IN GOA

2007-02-20 Thread Joe Vaz

* G * O * A * N * E * T  C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S *

  Flat for Sale: Mapuca, Goa (Ansabhat) - 10 min walk to Mapuca Market
  2 Bedroom-Living-Dining-Kitchen-Bath-Balcony-Terrazo Floors
 Great Investment - Winter Getaway
  Asking Canadian $ 31,500/-  or  Indian Rs 10 lakhs

Contact Rosario Fernandes - [EMAIL PROTECTED]


Surely, Bosco would have a different perception of the situation if he were 
living (and studying/studied) in Goa these past years.  After all, it is 
always one’s “point of view” depending on the place, perspective and plateau 
from where one speaks.  However, on examining the scenario locally in Goa, 
one would painfully paint a different and dreadful picture.


Let’s not kid ourselves. Wouldn’t it be wiser for people to speak from 
statistics, rather than from solitary case(s) or based on pure assumptions? 
In fact, the (primary) education in Goa has degenerated to a shocking level 
— largely contributing to the rapid and alarming ‘dropout’ rate of students.


Our erratic education system in Goa is taking a catastrophic toll on our 
children’s education and adversely impacting their future.  Thanks, to 
cheerleaders who think and advocate otherwise.


Joe Vaz
Feb 20, 2007

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