I am quoting selectively from what Floriano Lobo wrote:
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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.
.....
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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.
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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
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