Navhind Times

Panaji, June 7: As part of the government initiative to improve the quality of education, the state government has decided to accord equal importance to village schools at par with the urban schools, Minister for Education, Luizinho Faleiro said after distributing free books to the students from Varca and Davorlim panchayat areas under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan in Salcete taluka today.

Apart from distribution of the NCERT exercise and text books to the students from standard I to VIII, Faleiro also distributed notebooks, raincoats, cycles to VIII female students and cheques towards grants for the school maintenance and special teachers grants.

The Education Minister said that the government is endeavoring to implement Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan effectively, so that the standard of education is raised and prepare children to compete at national and international level. He said, like urban students, the village students are also talented and cited the example of the President of India, who hails from remote area of Kerala State.

Soliciting co-operation of the people to supplement government efforts to make Goa, a knowledge driven society, Faleiro appreciated the efforts of the education authorities to make available free books to the students in time. He reiterated that Goa is the first state in the country to introduce NCERT syllabus, which will be beneficial for the students.

Stating that the education schemes should reach at the door steps of the people, Faleiro said the government has already empowered PTA’s under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan. He assured to allocate Rs 30 lakh as first instalment for construction of a hall for St Mary High School at Varca.

Chairman of Goa State Education Board L M T Fernandes, Director of Education Dr Celsa Pinto, Sarpanch of Varca Juze Afonso were present.

Earlier Fr Luis Coutinho welcomed the gathering and Mr Subhash Lotlikar, teacher proposed the vote of thanks. Thereafter a power point presentation on different schemes of the Education Department was held.