Category: EduConnect

EduConnect

Scholarship and Stipend Scheme for Students with Disabilities Announced by Goa Government

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in Goa has announced a welfare scheme to support the education of students with disabilities through monthly stipends and scholarships. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance across various levels of education—from primary school to post-graduation—covering both academic and vocational fields. The stipend for students from Standard I to VIII is ₹200 per month, while those from Standard IX to XII are eligible for ₹300 per month, both for a duration of 11 months. Additionally, scholarships are available for students from Standard IX and above.

For students from Standard IX to XII or equivalent university courses, day scholars will receive ₹500 per month, hostellers ₹200 per month, and blind students will be provided with a reader’s allowance of ₹75 per month, all for 11 months. For students pursuing undergraduate degrees such as B.A., B.Com., or B.Sc., the scholarship amount is ₹650 per month for day scholars, ₹270 per month for hostellers, and ₹115 per month for readers’ allowance for blind students. Students enrolled in professional and technical courses like BE, B.Arch, MBBS, LLB, B.Ed, diplomas in engineering, as well as postgraduate degrees like MA, MSc, M.Com, LLM, and M.Ed, are eligible for ₹900 per month for day scholars, ₹360 per month for hostellers, and ₹150 per month for readers’ allowance for the blind.

To qualify for the scheme, students must have a disability of 40% or more, as certified by a Medical Board. They must also have secured at least 45% marks in their last annual exam, and their parents’ annual income should not exceed ₹1,50,000 from all sources. Possession of a valid UDID card issued by the Directorate of Social Welfare is also mandatory. The scheme additionally supports students pursuing music and vocational courses through recognized educational boards or universities.

Only online applications will be accepted under this scheme. Students must register and apply through the official CM Scholarship Portal. The application window for the academic year 2025-26 is now open, and the last date for submission is November 15, 2025. No offline applications will be considered.

EduConnect

PM SHRI GHS Morpirla Wins Prestigious ‘Mhaji Lab, Bari Lab’ ICT Award

Tanisha Cardozo

PM SHRI Government High School Morpirla has been honored with the prestigious “Mhaji Lab, Bari Lab” Best ICT Lab Award in Category A, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward educational innovation. The award was presented during the Chief Minister’s Vashistha Guru Puraskar ceremony and Teachers’ Day celebration held at Kala Academy, Panjim. It was handed over by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, in recognition of the school’s exceptional efforts in developing and maintaining a top-tier Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory.

This national-level recognition carries a cash prize of ₹2 lakhs, which will be utilized to further enhance the school’s ICT infrastructure. PM SHRI GHS Morpirla’s lab was selected based on its innovative use of technology, integration of digital tools in everyday teaching, and its strong focus on skill development among students, particularly those from tribal communities.

The school’s success in securing this award highlights its dedication to promoting inclusive and future-ready education. With the Mhaji Lab Bari Lab award, PM SHRI GHS Morpirla sets a benchmark for other institutions across the country striving for excellence in technology-driven learning. The recognition not only celebrates the current achievements of the school but also motivates its teachers and students to continue pushing the boundaries of educational innovation.

EduConnect

Goa’s Pride: Vilas Ramnath Satarkar Receives National Teachers’ Award from President Droupadi Murmu

Tanisha Cardozo

Vilas Ramnath Satarkar, Headmaster of Dr. K.B. Hedgewar High School in Cujira-Bambolim, Goa, has been conferred the National Teachers’ Award 2025 by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

The National Teachers’ Award recognises outstanding educators who demonstrate excellence in classroom teaching, commitment to innovation, and significant contributions to shaping young minds.

Satarkar has spent years in the service of education, not only leading a school but mentoring students, empowering fellow educators, and implementing pedagogical reforms that foster curiosity, character, and academic excellence.

His selection among the nation’s best teachers is a reflection of both personal dedication and the strength of Goa’s academic ecosystem. Under his guidance, Dr. K.B. Hedgewar High School has become known for holistic education that balances academics, values, and creativity.

For the students, staff, and community at large, this recognition is more than a medal—it’s a moment of pride and a reminder of how one educator can make a lifetime of difference.

EduConnect

Building Roots: Tambdi Maati’s First Workshop Unites Youth Through Bamboo and Tradition

Tanisha Cardozo

Tambdi Maati Foundation (TMF), a grassroots initiative rooted in the Konkan region, held its first community-centric natural building workshop — titled ‘Map and Build Together’ — on August 30th and 31st, 2025, at the scenic Chafekhol plateau in Malvan.

The workshop brought together young architects, architecture students, and local participants to co-create a temporary bamboo structure while immersing themselves in the natural landscape, local knowledge, and shared purpose.

TMF, which stands for ‘Red Earth’ in Konkani, is the brainchild of three individuals representing different parts of the Konkan region: Tallulah Dsilva (Goa), a long-time advocate of sustainable architecture; Ahana Rao (Gokarna), a passionate architect working with natural materials; and Omkar Keni (Malvan), an advocate focused on land rights and ecological justice.

Together, they envision TMF as a platform that preserves and promotes traditional building wisdom, fosters skill-building among youth, and creates livelihood opportunities rooted in ecological and cultural sensitivity.

At the heart of the workshop was the experience of building with bamboo—a material known for its resilience, renewability, and cultural significance in the region. More than just learning structural techniques, participants were exposed to mapping landscapes, reading ecological cues, and understanding how built spaces can respond sensitively to place and people.

The impact was deeply personal. Rahuman Khalil, an architecture intern from Coimbatore, reflected:

“During our extensive walk on the plateau, I observed that the boundaries of three villages were marked simply by stones, showing that people living on the land built a living community, not dead boundaries.”

Kaniksha Bandodkar, an architect from Goa, shared:

“Building a bamboo structure for the community was a rewarding experience that not only showcased the versatility of sustainable materials but also brought people together, fostering a sense of unity and pride in our shared space.”

This was more than a workshop. It was a living classroom, a reimagining of architectural education outside conventional spaces, and a glimpse into what the future of community-led, sustainable design can look like.

With this successful beginning, TMF is laying the foundation for a larger movement — one that connects artisans, professionals, and youth across the Konkan belt to reclaim and reimagine the region’s architectural legacy.

EduConnect

IGNOU Ranked #1 in NIRF 2025 Open Universities Category

Tanisha Cardozo

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has once again secured the top spot in the Open Universities category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025. This achievement reinforces its position as a leader in India’s open and distance learning sector, continuing its legacy of academic excellence.

This recognition highlights IGNOU’s efforts in delivering affordable, quality education to students across India, especially those living in remote areas or requiring flexible study options. By leveraging its wide network and innovative learning methods, the university continues to break barriers in higher education accessibility.

Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU expressed heartfelt gratitude to the faculty, academic and non-academic staff, attributing the milestone to their dedicated efforts. She emphasized that IGNOU’s mission remains unchanged — to provide affordable and quality education to everyone, everywhere.

With this achievement, IGNOU not only reaffirms its relevance in the Indian education landscape but also sets a benchmark for open and distance learning globally, inspiring millions of students to pursue their academic aspirations without limitations.