Teachers and students centered education is my vision: Dr. Celsa Pinto - Herald Panjim, Sept 5, 2007

 

 

There are mobile schools to fill in the residential and non-residential bridge gaps and provide education to the children of migrant population with the help of NGO’s. Dr. Celsa also spelt out the programme of quality education undertaken by the Directorate of Education in Goa with the help of Bhartiya Jain Sanghatana, a Pune based NGO. The department also has started grading and accreditation of schools so as to get a school profile. This would be carried on school, village and taluka level. As per the needs of the particular school or locality, the schemes would be implemented and aid provided, she said.

 

This would be carried out on various levels having different applications like governance, teachers, students, and technology and last but not the least parents. These factors are critical and affect the educational system individually and separately.

 

Under governance, Management Development Programme would be carried out. Under institute per school, the School Administration Software and School Accreditation as well as Social Service Awareness would be taken care of. Under teachers, Teachers Training, Teaching with Multimedia Awareness Programme, Disaster Management and Creativity in Teachers would be dealt with. Under students, Carrier Guidance would be provided; Student Assessment done and Creativity in Students would give a boost.

 

Under technology a Computer Education Awareness Programme would be activated and also knowledge KAFE idea implemented.

 

Lastly come parents under which a Parent’s Awareness Programme would follow.

 

Dr. Celsa talked about special schools and special children too.

 

The grants for special schools are being regularized and they are brought at per with the other normal schools, which are regular government aided institutions. Inclusive education provides special teachers for resource room teaching. But so far only 6 to 7 schools have come forward to avail this facility. More should know about this scheme and school administrations should communicate with the Education Departments regarding this and various other schemes, she insisted. Talking further about the special needs of the special schools and special children, Dr. Celsa assured financial assistance to students, traveling escort, providing books, stationary, uniforms and equipments to such students. Parents should not keep special children at home depriving them of education and vocational training which in turn could transform their personality and make them independent. This is the message, Dr. Celsa wishes to spread around, not forgetting to mention about the financial aid given to such institution by the department. Special schools and other schools also get Rs. 200 to 300 per special child per month depending upon the attendance, she told.

 

Being a teacher myself, I would like to concentrate educational system on amicable teacher-student relationship. Education should be teacher and student centered with parents acting as co-coordinators between the two, stressed Dr. Celsa who wishes to translate her vision of education for every child in Goa with the needs of the teachers also taken care of.

 

This year a boost on vocational education in state would be given and the status of teachers would be reviewed. The existing courses would be updated and if necessary, new ones would be introduced, she said, while concluding. Wait till the CM announces many encouraging policies on Teachers Day. Dr. Celsa smiled, keeping them a secret, may be for few hours till the day is dawned!