Goa Schools Computers Project

This project is an effort by the Goan community--both resident in Goa and overseas--and friends of Goa to help needy schools in the state to be equipped with computers. In the first phase, three schools have been helped: Lourdes Convent (Saligao), St. Xavier's High School for Girls (Dhuler), and Bal Bharati Vidyamandir (Ribandar). The vision of the project is to help needy schools obtain computers by the end of the year 2000 with the help of the government, industry, and the Goan community. So far, the government has provided computers to 78 schools.

As part of the second phase, a comprehensive study on the use of computers in Goa was completed in January 1998. The study covered 36 schools in the 11 talukas of Goa. Over 1,500 students, teachers, heads of schools, and government officials were surveyed to find out how computers were used in schools that have them; if schools did not have them, how would computers be of help in education. The study was completed by Dr. Nishtha Desai of Goa university and Dr. Bernadette Gomes of Government College, Quepem under the direction of Emmanuel D’Silva. The report was released to the public on January 21, 1998. For details, click here.

The findings of the study helped prepare the third phase of the project. During 1998, three schools have been selected for assistance based on the criteria evolved by the study team: Miracles High School, Sanguem; St. Theresa’s, Vasco da Gama; and ACDIL, Porvorim. The three schools were selected from a list of 21. Each school will be provided with a minimum package comprising five Pentium-level computers, one printer, and an equipment to ensure uninterrupted power supply. For details on the three schools, click here.