Quality education is key to excellence: Goa CM

The state on Saturday celebrated the 48th Teachers Day awarding six teachers with Teachers Day State Awards 2009 at the hands of the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat at the Kala Academy. The Education Minister, Mr Atanasio Monserrate presided over the function.

Speaking at the function, the Chief Minister called upon the teachers to give thrust on quality of education they impart to students in order to achieve excellence in all fields. The Chief Minister said that in this technological age teachers should make efforts to impart education through innovative ideas including updation of the teachers' knowledge. Mr Kamat said that the teachers should develop themselves so as to gain confidence of parents who could rely on the teachers for what is best for their children. He further said there is no progress without education which is considered as the only tool to eliminate poverty and illiteracy. "Education alone can make India a superpower," Mr Kamat added. The teachers who were awarded include Ms Asara Naik, primary teacher GPS Chincolem, Panaji; Ms Luizinha D'Costa e Vaz, primary teacher, Our Lady of Carmel High School, Curtorim; Mr Satish Mhapsekar, asst teacher, Progress High School, Panaji; Mr Vithoba Dessai, asst teacher, VGS Vidyalaya, Rawanfond, Navelim, Mr Ulhas Pai Bhatikar, headmaster, GHS, Sadolxem, Canacona and Ms Aida Borges, grade I teacher, Government Multipurpose HSS, Borda, Margao.

The Education Minister, Mr Atanasio Monserrate in his address said that his goal is to make Goa an ideal state in the field of education. In this direction, he said the new education policy will be ready for discussion within two months and added that to improve the standard of education, curriculum and syllabus would be revised. He also said that ATKT in class X will be considered from the next academic year.

Mr Monserrate further said that the long pending issue of registration of pre–primary schools has now been settled and the process of framing curriculum and rules would be completed within three months. Secretary (Education), Dr M Modassir highlighted the role of teachers in society. All the state awardees also spoke on the occasion. Director of Education, Dr Celsa Pinto welcomed the guests. Assistant director, Education department, Mr Santosh Amonkar proposed the vote of thanks. The students of DIET Porvorim recited the welcome song. The function was attended by students, teachers and large number of people.