The Goa Directorate of Education (DoE) has withdrawn two controversial circulars that required schools to obtain prior written permission before allowing external individuals, organisations or groups to conduct lectures, awareness programmes, seminars or similar activities on campus.
The decision, announced on Friday, reverses guidelines that had drawn criticism from political parties and civil society groups over concerns they could unnecessarily restrict educational activities in schools.
In an order issued on Friday, Director of Education Shailesh Zingade said the circulars dated July 6 and July 9 had been withdrawn with immediate effect.
“It is brought to the notice of all educational institutions in the State of Goa that the circulars issued by the Directorate on July 6 and 9 are hereby withdrawn with immediate effect. The instructions contained therein shall cease to have effect,” the order stated.
Sources said the circulars were withdrawn following directions from the State government after objections were raised by several groups. Among those calling for the withdrawal were the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), which had criticised the move and demanded that the directives be revoked.
The withdrawn circulars had been issued after the Directorate received a communication from the North Goa Collector based on inputs from the Superintendent of Police, Special Branch, Panaji. The communication referred to programmes organised by the Students Islamic Organisation of India in certain educational institutions across the state.
In the circulars, the Directorate said security agencies had placed the organisation under scrutiny, citing concerns that its ideology and activities could be detrimental to social harmony and national security. The department had said the measures were intended to safeguard students and maintain a neutral academic environment.
The earlier directives also stated that imparting communal or sectarian ideology, or organising activities unrelated to education, was contrary to the provisions of the Goa School Education Act, 1984, and the Goa School Education Rules, 1986.
Under those guidelines, schools were required to seek prior approval from the Directorate before inviting any outside organisation. Institutions were also instructed to submit details of the organisation, speakers and programme content for scrutiny, and to report any suspicious activities involving external individuals or organisations to both the local police and the Directorate.
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