Relocated schools can't use old place for business in Goa

Schools that shift to integrated school complexes will not be able to utilize their old premises for commercial purposes.

The premises may be used for philanthropic activities "but in no case will be put to commercial use whereby the main object of traffic decongestion is lost," the integrated educational complex scheme, revised by directorate of education (DoE), states.

"As most of the institutions are running from rented premises and they get rent under the grant-in-aid scheme of government of Goa, this will automatically cease to operate and the property shall go back to the original owners," the scheme reads. In case of government owned premises, the building presently used by the school will be reverted to the government department to which it belongs. If the premises is owned by the institution, then it cannot be exploited for commercial purposes, states the scheme.

The state government plans to set up integrated educational complexes at Bambolim, Mapusa and Margao. The scheme has kicked off with setting up of the complex at Bambolim, where six Panaji-based schools will be shifted in an effort to decongest the city while also doing away with the space restrictions city schools face. Auditorium, playground and other facilities will be provided to the schools, which they cannot accommodate presently due to restricted land area available to it.

An area of 10,000 sq m has been allotted on lease to six schools at Cujira. The schools which have been allotted land are Mushtifund Saunstha, Dr K B Hedgewar High School, Rosary Education Society, Vasantrao Dempo Higher Secondary School of Arts & Science, Voicuntrao Dempo Higher Secondary School of Commerce and Anjuman Nurul Islam High School.

The land has been leased to the schools at Re one per sq m for a period of 33 years and would be renewed as per government guidelines for another 60 odd years.

The six schools that have already opted to shift to the complex also cannot carry out any parallel educational activities such as operating classes in the premises occupied by them at present after the school shifts to the integrated complex. Around 20% of the existing strength can function from the current premises of the school that too with DoE permission.

The order issued by the director of education Anil Powar states that the school managements have agreed to the terms.