Goa CM refers to TOI report, says parents must send their kids to govt schools

Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant, at the official Teachers’ Day event, referred to a TOI report stating that there are now more students studying in 141 private schools in Goa than in 773 govt schools. He appealed to parents to admit students to govt-run and govt-aided schools. Sawant said that many govt and aided schools have better infrastructure and teachers with the latest training compared to some of the private schools.

Speaking about the TOI report that appeared on Sep 2, ‘In a first, 141 pvt unaided schools in Goa have more kids than 773 govt schools,’ Sawant said, “I was going through the news and I called up the director of education and asked him whether it is true that there are more students studying in unaided schools than in govt schools. He answered in the affirmative. Today, 141 unaided schools have more students than in 773 schools. I asked him what is the difference?”

Sawant said that the medium of instruction being English in private unaided schools was one reason for this increasing preference for these institutes.

“I am not feeling bad about it. We will have to work on how to improvise. The medium of instruction is one reason.Many parents want their children to study in English medium and they don’t mind paying money. But I want to say that our govt and govt-aided schools today have better infrastructure and teachers than some of the unaided schools. No doubt they are Marathi and Konkani medium schools, but we have one teacher teaching English subject in every govt school,” said Sawant.

He said that teachers in govt and aided schools are constantly upgraded with the latest training.

“Education experts have confirmed that the mother tongue is the best language to learn in. I request parents to look at govt schools with a positive outlook. We are constantly working to train and upgrade these teachers. Those 141 schools are recognised by us, but even then we do not have full control over them. They are not bound to pay salaries as required and this may lead to unqualified teachers teaching children at times. In comparison, govt and govt-aided teachers are compulsorily undergoing upgrading training,” said Sawant.

For the first time, ‘Mhaji Lab, Bari Lab’ awards were given to selected schools with prize money of Rs 2 to 3 lakh per institute for having the best laboratories. Sawant said these schools will be able to further upgrade their labs using these funds.

Sawant also said that the state best teacher awards are given without any favour or bias.

“For the last six years, as CM and education minister, I have never ever recommended that the award be given to a particular teacher. After hearing the bio today, teachers will know why a certain teacher got the award. If anyone has missed out on the award, they should not hold it against anyone. There is a committee appointed who select the awardees based on certain criteria and it is that committee’s prerogative who should get the award,” said Sawant.

He said those who win the award have worked selflessly and not with the award in mind.