Team Goemkarponn
BENAULIM: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Benaulim MLA Capt. Venzy Viegas has accused successive BJP and Congress governments in Goa of neglecting the rent reassessment of Diocesan schools for over three decades, leaving schools with rental allowances that do not reflect current market realities.
Capt. Viegas held a meeting with Diocesan schools in the Benaulim constituency to discuss the long-pending issue of secondary school rent assessment and understand their concerns. He also offered assistance with the necessary documentation to facilitate reassessment.
Viegas pointed out that more than 30 years have passed since the last assessment, while schools have expanded and student enrolment has increased significantly. He said commercial and residential rents have risen substantially over the years, but the rental allowances provided to Diocesan schools have failed to keep pace with the changes.
He blamed successive BJP and Congress governments for failing to address the issue, alleging that the concerns of these educational institutions had been taken for granted. He said the fact that an AAP MLA had initiated discussions with the schools highlighted the prolonged neglect of this important educational matter.
Viegas emphasised that Diocesan schools have played a significant role in shaping Goa’s education system, adding that many Goans, including himself, had studied in these institutions. He expressed disappointment that successive governments had failed to give adequate attention to their concerns.
The MLA said he had coordinated with schools in the Benaulim constituency to assist them in preparing the required documentation for rent reassessment.
He further appealed to any aided school in Goa requiring assistance with rent assessment documentation to reach out to him, assuring that the Aam Aadmi Party would extend the necessary guidance and support.
“**All parties want Diocesan schools and churches to vote for them, but no party seems interested in reviving Diocesan schools,**” Viegas said, criticising the political establishment for its alleged lack of commitment to addressing the institutions’ longstanding concerns.
