by S Gasper D?Souza / The Navhind Times
Panaji June 17: Over the past several weeks, even as the political turmoil in the state hogged headlines, visitors to Panaji city witnessed the strange sight of young women, with a few men thrown in, hanging out on the traffic island opposite the Customs House. If that were not enough to get your attention, the blockade of both the new and old Patto bridges, main arteries of the city, surely must have.
To the uninitiated these are Goa?s computer teachers, a group courtesy of the schools? computer literacy programme (CLP), demanding regularisation of their jobs on scales of normal teachers.
The CLP was actually initiated nine-years ago and was outsourced to a firm ICS. The programme was limited to the higher secondary level. However, the Parrikar government in a sweep of the wand, a move that was supposed to make Goa IT literate, extended the programme to classes VIII, IX and X in all government-aided secondary schools in Goa and the contract was awarded to a firm.
A furore was created in and out of the assembly and Mr Parrikar was accused of favoritism. As per the contract, the company hired several hundred youths, giving them a crash course in computer applications and spawned them out to schools across Goa. Each recruit was paid Rs 2,500 per month which has remained unchanged over the years.
?With this pittance we were asked to not only teach computers but also do office administrative work and help other teachers in their activities,? said Ms Emma Cardozo, the joint secretary of the newly formed All Goa Computer Teachers Association.
?We used to be asked to do what regular teachers refused,? she said. What are the qualifications of these computer teachers? According to Ms Cardozo most are graduates with a diploma in computer applications.
Three protestors spoken to were in fact post-graduates. But among them, there are also a few undergraduates. So is a diploma in computer applications through a neighbourhood institute enough to actually teach in a classroom environment?
Given the quality of computer institutes in existence today and in the past, the computer skills of those passing out are indeed suspect. All government teaching jobs advertised for computers require at least a post-graduate diploma in computer applications (PGDCA) through a recognised university or a bachelors degree in computer applications (BCA) or even a masters (MCA).
Principals spoken to were also not sure of the teaching abilities of the contract teachers. ?Our children seemed to have problems with the teachers quiet often,? said the principal from a school in Tiswadi taluka.
?These girls are good as persons and also very helpful. But to classify them as `teachers? is not possible. When hiring a teacher we consider a lot of factors including the ability to wield control in a real classroom environment. This only comes with training,? she said.
Other principals too echoed similar sentiments.
?The problems of the computer teachers run much deeper and are systemic. It is very difficult if not impossible to get good jobs in Goa. Even with my post graduate degree in economics I found it difficult. I can imagine what others have to go through,? said Ms Cardozo when asked for her reasons for choosing this job.
So how is it that post-graduated youth find it so difficult to land up with jobs, in spite of their education, forcing them to accept such low wages?
Even accepting a teaching job in colleges is on lecture basis. ?What job security could I have?? she asked. ?The lure of regularisation kept these teachers at their posts. We were given to understand that we would be confirmed as regular teachers,? said Ms Eesha Parulekar, a protesting teacher. ?But the previous government reneged on its promise and the present government seems no better,? she added. Many of these computer teachers drawing contract salaries of just Rs 2,500 per month are also mothers and have families to support. Having grown in years they would find it difficult to get employment elsewhere given their qualifications and experience.
As such, this seems to be a much deeper humanitarian issue. The protestors spoken to did not view their former contractor very kindly. Rs 150 was deducted from their monthly payment for each day?s absence. ?We slogged for peanuts,? said Ms Parulekar.
With the strike running into several weeks and no end in sight, how have schools been affected? Most principals spoken to expressed their distress and displeasure in the fact that the normal routine was disrupted.
?All of them could not conduct classes. Neither do we have the regular teachers nor is there any maintenance of the computers,? said Sr Elizabeth of Green Rosary HS. ?A couple of them have broken down and need repairs. However, the earlier contractor has refused to service them. As a result, although we hired a special teacher on our own this year, children cannot have any lab sessions.?
?The government must give priority to IT education,? feels Mr Vijaykumar Kavikar, principal of Peoples High School, Panaji. He felt there was no co-ordination between the education department and the board. Both need to take each other into confidence in planning out such schemes, he said.
The syllabus needs to be jointly formulated rather than just being pushed down on us. But are the children missing their teachers? The reaction was varied. Some principals like those of Little Flower HS, Calangute and Peoples HS, Panaji were supportive of their earlier teachers who they felt were good in their opinion.
Mr Kavikar suggested an orientation programme to be given to all computer teachers to enable them to take on their role. However, many principals expressed reservations about the competence of the earlier teachers.
?We have seen several teachers come and leave for better opportunities during each term,? said one principal speaking on condition of anonymity. ?Even these that came in could not really be considered teachers. We had a couple who were not even graduates, having only completed the HSSC examination with some basic computer knowledge.?
The principal continued explaining how these teachers were unable to handle the classroom situations. ?Teachers go through a period of training to handle all kinds of children. Our children on the other hand, seemed to have a number of complaints against their computer teachers,? the principal said.
Ms Parulekar retorts ?A BEd/DEd degree/diploma in education is not needed for computers.? She believes this is a technical field and as such a teaching qualification is not required.
Principals responded that the programme should be re-started. However, as for the teachers themselves, they felt that the school managements should be given a budget and be allowed to hire teachers like any other subject. This is the only way to ensure the best teachers are hired for the job, they opined. Children will end up getting the quality they deserve.
At present, the only obstacle to the managements hiring teachers seems to be finances.
OTHER OPINIONS (courtesy: The Goan Forum):
| Date: | Sat, 18 Jun 2005 12:58:28 -0000 |
| Subject: | [The Goan Forum d-list] Re: All Goa Computer Teachers |
When you dont care about bringing in IT industry in Goa, such things are bound to happen. The only jobs that are available in Goa are teaching jobs which typically have pathetic salaries. Industry on the other hand can pay much more. But then industries are not allowed to enter Goa. Big bribes are taken by ministers to allocate the resources for the industry.
I am told the new IT minister Mr. Narvekar wants to set up another IT habitat, when there is one in Verna already. The reason is obvious; he wants to make money on the land.
The point is: big land is not required by IT industry. What is required is power, goood connectivity, supporting industries such as computer assembling etc, and most important good skilled people. Also, we need good transport so that people can commute from their homes.
Also, and this is very important, IT industry today will choose between Bangalore, Hyderabad,
Chennai, Pune etc. Goa has to offer much more to attract IT industry. Because, in all these places things are all set, one knows what to expect. In Goa, everything is unknown. So, the risk is much higher.
The govt. cannot act like "if you want, you come and set up in Goa". Govt. has to do some hard selling. Instead, the Govt. is only interested in filling pockets, so what happens is the above:
asking for permanent jobs, and govt. kills the golden goose that creates better jobs, and so gives in to the demands.
samir
--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], Cecil Pinto [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I am quoting selectively from what Floriano Lobo wrote:
---- quote ----
Subject: All Goa Computer Teacher's Association - AGCTA.
Does Mr. Rane
think that these teachers are unwanted babies that get stuffed into the garbage bins? For God's own sake, these are Goa's cream and Goa's welfare depends on their well being.
As the Education Minister, Sir, we know you are utmost concerned and
fully aware of what you must do in this case. The world will not come to an end if the new contract tenders, for whatever reasons they have been entertained, are cancelled forthwith and a plan is drawn-up to re-instate these agitating computer teachers permanently, preferably in batches, giving due representation to their male-female numbers. Let the AGCTA be given the task to agree to who will be the first ones to be taken in, on priority and need
basis.
Dear Floriano,
Let me play Devil's Advocate here.
You refer to the agitating Computer Teachers as "Goa's cream". On what basis may I ask? A few of these teachers, who I know personally, are mere graduates (Arts) with a short term diploma in some private computer institute. Their knowledge of computers is deplorable. They have no formal training in teaching. I would not want them teaching my children about computers.
They claim that they were promised that they would be absorbed into
permanent jobs. By who? The private institute that provided them
placement services? The computer teaching contractor who got the contract from the BJP government under dubious circumstances? The managements of the schools they were teaching in? The Education Department? The Government at the time? Who promised them permanent jobs?!!
Why should the present
Government, or the new contractor, be saddled
with these unqualified teachers? Why as a tax payer should I pay their salaries just because they managed to agitate and embarrass the government?
I understand and sympathise with their need for permanent jobs. But
let us not swell the already swollen ranks of Government employees with still more mediocrity. Keep in mind it is me, the tax payer, who foots the bill for such biased decision by the Government. I don't mind paying a salary to a qualified person to teach my children computers. But selection should be on the basis of merit, and not because of some vague promises by unknown parties. I am even willing to consider giving permanent Government jobs on the basis of need. Let each of those agitating teachers come forth with a certified declaration of family poverty.
If we give in to their demands we are setting a precedent. Tomorrow
every contracted
government worker is going to unionise and agitate that they be given permanent Government jobs. And we end up paying their salaries. The Government bureaucracy is far too bloated anyway. A large chunk of the budget goes to just paying Government salaries. Why are we adding to that debt?
A little application of mind is required in this matter, and not
just the heart.
Cheers!
Cecil
____________
From: Goasuraj <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2005 10:25 PM
Subject: Re: All Goa Computer Teacher's Assoc.
Our Ref: GSRP/EM/LF/GOG/06/05 June 16, 2005
To:
Mr. Luizinho Faleiro,
Education Minister,
Government of Goa,
Secretariat, Porvorim - Penha de Franca,
Goa.
MOST IMMEDIATE
Dear Mr. Faleiro,
Subject: All Goa Computer Teacher's Association - AGCTA.
At the outset, the undersigned, on behalf of the Goa Su-Raj Party congratulates you on being appointed as the Education and Industries Minister in the newly formed coalition government of Goa, expressly on the demise of the erstwhile repugnant coalition government led by the BJP, after the bye-elections to the five constituencies of Goa. We do hope and pray that these two very important ministries have found a leader in you, who will do the maximum justice where justice was not seen for a long time, rendering these two ministries decadent, to say the least.
The agitation resorted to by the computer teachers of Goa has been a concern to this party, all the while, during their peaceful protests through chain-hunger-strikes, which have been ongoing for a long time. But the latest high-handedness meted out to them, first, by the Chief Minister of Goa Mr. Pratapsing Rane and then, by the Goa police is deplored in most certain terms and vociferously
objected to by this party.
Mr. Rane, the Chief Minister of Goa, must well know that the people Goa has cleared the Chief Minister's Official Residence of a virtual Hitler, and do not expect, nor will they tolerate any more Hitler's rule by proxy, having noted with gross dislike the way Mr. Rane has behaved himself, being a Congressman, and the leader of the Opposition, during the erstwhile BJP rule in Goa. Mr. Rane's remarks to the agitating teachers, when they approached his official residence are obnoxious, vile and most condescending. Mr. Rane must realize that he is occupying the post of the Chief Minister at the pleasure of the people.
This Party is of the opinion that the teachers would not have resorted to the "Rasta Rokho" on June 14, if it was not for Mr. Rane's uncouth behaviour with them. Does Mr. Rane think that these teachers are unwanted babies that get stuffed into the garbage bins? For God's own sake, these are Goa's cream and Goa's welfare depends on their
well being.
This party believes that contract employment is the most vilest thing a government of the people can force on its working class. In the words of Mr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, there is nothing like 'Job Insecurity' that can do to the health of the body and mind of a person. And we at Goa Su-Raj Party believe that he is right on target for saying that.
As the Education Minister, Sir, we know you are utmost concerned and fully aware of what you must do in this case. The world will not come to an end if the new contract tenders, for whatever reasons they have been entertained, are cancelled forthwith and a plan is drawn-up to re-instate these agitating computer teachers permanently, preferably in batches, giving due representation
to their male-female numbers. Let the AGCTA be given the task to agree to who will be the first ones to be taken in, on priority and need basis.
Needless to say that if you and/or your government do
not improvise on this problem, you will be responsible for this ever widening and festering sore, which this party will wholeheartedly sympathize with, until better sense prevails.
The Goa Su-Raj Party believes that the government of the people which lacks the impetus to work for the betterment of its people is no government at all. This party also believes that your coalition government will have to, in due hurry, solve your own internal problems of bickerings within the rank and file for self glorifications, so that it is free to look at the problems of the people.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
for Goa Su-Raj Party.
Sd/-
(Floriano C. Lobo)
President.
Copy to: AGCTA.
Copy to: The Chief Minister of Goa.
Copy to: Press.
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