Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: People’s High School, one of Goa’s most respected educational institutions, is all set to celebrate its 90th anniversary with a year-long celebration beginning December 9, 2025, and culminating on the same date in 2026. Founded in 1936 by visionary patriot and educationist Shri Manguesh Fondu Surlacar, the school has been a beacon of inclusive and value-driven education for generations of Goans.
Coincidentally, the school’s foundation day also marks the birthday of Shri Jagdish Surlacar, Shri Manguesh’s son, who carried forward his father’s legacy with great passion and foresight. Over the decades, the Surlacar family’s contribution to education expanded to include the People’s Primary School (1962), the School for Appropriate Learning (SFAL, 1986), and the People’s Higher Secondary School (1988), building a comprehensive and student-centric educational ecosystem.
Kicking off the 90th year, the school will launch its Digital Alumni Registry on Founder’s Day, July 15, 2025, inviting all former students to register and reconnect with their alma mater. The registry aims to serve as a living directory of the school’s vast and diverse alumni network. Alumni can sign up at https://bit.ly/Peoples90 and are encouraged to share the link widely with peers.
The official launch event for the 90th-year celebrations is scheduled for December 19, 2025, aligning with Goa Liberation Day. The day will begin with a symbolic flag hoisting ceremony, where alumni will relive their student days, followed by the formation of a human chain along Rua de Ourem—a tribute to the community spirit that defines People’s. The event will also feature a keynote address by a national luminary and a vibrant cultural performance by current students.
Throughout the year, the school will roll out a variety of events including a monthly podcast series featuring inspiring stories of alumni who have made a mark across the globe. The grand finale in December 2026 will feature a nostalgic Alumni Sports Day, classic inter-house games, and a “Back to School” experience, evoking memories of classroom camaraderie.
As a tribute to those who shaped countless young minds, former teachers will be specially invited and felicitated by their ex-students—a heartfelt gesture that underscores the deep bonds within the People’s community.
The planning of this milestone celebration is being spearheaded by an Advisory Committee that includes Shri Anil Counto (1961), Arvind Wagh (1963), and Dinar Bhatkar (1969). The Core Committee is led by Manoj Caculo (1985), the Organising Committee by Rajesh Khaunte (1988), Infrastructure Committee by Dr. Rajesh Dhume (1981), and the Communication Committee by Shri Vernon Fernandes (1994).
In a powerful gesture of giving back, the alumni community has pledged to support vital infrastructure upgrades at the school. Planned enhancements include a passenger lift, 20 smartboards, a UPS system for uninterrupted learning, and improved classroom acoustics—ensuring that the next generation of learners benefits from a modern and enriched academic environment.
The 90-Year Celebration Committee has extended a heartfelt invitation to all alumni to be a part of this historic moment—by registering to volunteer, contributing ideas, and participating in the many events throughout the year.
As People’s High School reflects on nine decades of shaping young minds and empowering generations, the school remains anchored in its timeless motto:
“The School and We are One — What We Are, the Race Shall Be.”
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