Panaji: Congress party has come out with a demand not to reopen schools till September after which it wants the government to review the COVID-19 situation and then reach a decision.
Congress leaders have said that the parents of the children and managements of schools are not physically prepared for school reopening and have also turned down the option of introducing e-learning for school students.
Addressing media persons, Congress’ Porvorim block president Shankar Phadte along with the party’s district presidents Joseph Dias and Vijay Bhike, said that till September the education department should provide textbooks, learning material and kits to the students free of cost at their doorsteps.
The Congress leaders said that the students should be encouraged to study at home and do self evaluation which it said is the best possible alternative adding, “Students can study at home as if they are studying in the schools and ring up teachers for guidance as per respective timetable.”
They also pointed out that mathematics and science portions should be curtailed and only core contents should be encouraged adding, “e-learning is not an option as in many areas of the state there is poor connectivity.”
Stating that the case of a student from Kerala, who ended his life, should come as an eye opener for Goa as most parents cannot afford quality handsets for their children adding, “The government should take a decision immediately and put to rest all the apprehensions and anxiety in the minds of students and parents.”
Meanwhile, president of South Goa district Congress committee Joseph Dias said that the increase in working hours from 8 to 12 hours would lead to exploitation of the workers particularly women workers. Addressing media persons, Dias said that the government has no data on the unemployment triggered in the state on account of COVID-19 lockdown.
Stating that the extension in working hours was done to discourage Goan youth and encourage cheap labour from the state, the Congress leader said that cheap labourers working for Goan industries are posing a major threat to the livelihood of Goans.
“The government should have sensed the golden opportunity and enforced a total lockdown so that Goan unemployed youth would have got employment in these industries,” the Congress leaders said adding, “Working hours should have been reduced as it would have helped to build immunity and minimum wages increased so as to make employment opportunities in the industries attractive.”
Claiming that the chief minister has failed to fulfill the promise of providing free essential items to the residents of Mangor Hill, the Congress leaders said that now South Goa Congress district will distribute essential items to the residents of the containment zone through the Vasco block Congress president.
They demanded that the state ministry be pruned to just 8 members to reduce the huge expenses including on corporations and consultants adding, “These steps are necessary to bring the economy back on the track.”