Goa Church calls Catholic MLA meet to seek educational support

The Goa Church today called for an emergency meeting of Catholic MLAs to take up with the State government matters pertaining in education at Diocesan Society of Education-run schools.
The BJP, Congress and independent MLAs held a meeting with senior officials of Diocesan Society of Education, associated with Goa Church, to discuss issues regarding admission and other issues in Diocesan Society-run schools and others.
BJP MLA Michael Lobo, who was a part of the meeting, said an appointment has been fixed with Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar tomorrow where they will submit a memorandum.
Many MLAs who attended the meeting, however, refused to delve into details of the meetings.

According to sources, educational bodies associated with Goa Church are upset with the state government for not allowing to expand number of students at schools run by Diocesan Society, while non-Diocesan schools have been allowed to increase their intake capacity.
"The government has also kept on hold the permission sought by Diocesan Society to start four more higher secondary schools to teach the rural youths," sources said.

Environment minister Alina Saldanha, fisheries minister Avertano Furtado, BJP legislators Michael Lobo, Carlose Almeida, Congress MLAs Mauvin Godinho and Reginaldo Lourenco were among who attended the meeting.
"There are genuine demands of Diocesan society which needs to be sorted out. The Church had asked for our help to sort out these demands," Lobo said without elaborating on the demands.

The Diocesan Society too remained tight-lipped on the demands and it would be shared with media once demands are put forth before the government.
"The discussion would be held with CM regarding education and various measures to improve the education field. Some practical difficulties are being encountered, we want the government to look into it," Congress MLA Godinho.
He said they will also meet Union defence minister Manohar Parrikar to discuss the issues.