Goa education minister Francisco Sardinha resigns over 'marks scandal'

Student power has come of age in Goa. They played a major role in the downfall of the 16-year-old Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party (MGP) government in 1979 and brought in the present regime of Pratap Singh Rane. Then, last July, student agitations succeeded in abolishing all provisions for reservations of seats in medical colleges. And now, students have compelled Education Minister Francisco Sardinha to hand in his resignation over what has come to be called the "marks scandal" last fortnight.Chief Minister Rane had still not accepted Sardinha's resignation, but, in the idyllic bylanes of Panaji, there was little doubt in the public mind that Sardinha, an ex-schoolteacher, had been somewhat errant. The first thing he did after being sworn in as minister was to amend the school grant scheme in order to make his joining the Government as minister a sort of loan service from his school in Curtorim. He then collected a salary from the Government for the month of January last (he was sworn in on January 16). Also controversial was his decision to introduce English as the medium of instruction even at the primary school level. Sardinha also displayed a particular fondness for amassing titles -he sat over one particular file until Rane reluctantly agreed to make him vice-chairman of the Goa Kala Academy, which already had Rane himself as chairman. "Sardinha should have resigned long ago." says Vishnu Naik, an independent MLA supporting the ruling party.What brought matters to a head was the "marks scandal". Sardinha's niece Shalini, who scored 54 per cent in the higher secondary examinations was seeking admission to Goa Medical College, but as her percentage was somewhat low, she applied for verification of her marks. On a reappraisal of her answer papers her percentage soared to 70. The students naturally, created an uproar and a committee headed by Professor Ba-khale was appointed by the Board to investigate into the matter.Several Charges: The revelations of the Bakhale Committee report were startling. According to the report, the Board Chairman B. Cruz himself allegedly brought Shalini's answer papers to the chamber of the minister's personal assistant, Felicio Estevas. The report further revealed that the examination moderators were summoned. Shalini was permitted to modify her answers with a helping hand from the Board chairman downwards and the moderators were prevailed upon to hike up her marks.(Clockwise from left) a handout on the streetplay, Mark scandal to Macasana; scene from the play and Francisco SardinhaThe students made capital out of lie report and wasted no time in putting up a street play named Mark Scandal to Macasana (Macasana is a place near Sardinha's hometown). The play appealed to theatre-loving Goans but only served to make Sardinia belligerent. Last fortnight, Sardinia's supporters clashed with the troupe members at Macasana but the timely intervention of the police led to the arrest of some of the trouble-makers. This only served to increase the popularity of the play and the students went about the new medium of communication with renewed vigour. They have already demanded that Rane accept Sardinha's resignation.Chief Minister Rane at the moment has his hands full coping with the crisis. His opponents have cited the numerous agitations, including the "marks scandal" as evidence enough of the Government's nonperformance and have held him responsible for lowering the party's image. The undaunted Rane declares: "I have the blood of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in my veins. I will adopt guerrilla tactics to out-manoeuvre Sardinha's tormentors." But one conciliatory move he has made after the Sardinha episode is to move closer to A. N. Naik. the leader of the rival group in the party.Published By: AtMigration Published On: Nov 28, 2013 10:45 IST--- ENDS ---

Download App

Get 37% off on an annual Print +Digital subscription of India Today Magazine

Goa education minister Francisco Sardinha resigns over 'marks scandal'

Students have compelled Education Minister Francisco Sardinha to hand in his resignation over what has come to be called the "marks scandal".

PUBLICATIONS

TELEVISION

EVENTS

RADIO

GAMING

USEFUL LINKS

PRINTING

WELFARE

DISTRIBUTION

SYNDICATIONS

WEBSITES

EDUCATION