Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral
St Xavier’s High School, Moira, has taken an important step in strengthening its commitment to inclusive and quality education with the inauguration of a dedicated Academic Resource Room, established with the support of the PACT Foundation. The inauguration was held in the presence of Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Purificacao Fernandes, Dr Ashwin Fernandes, Founder of the PACT Foundation, Headmistress Noreen Dias and Manager Fr Alexander Pereira. The ceremony began with a solemn welcome, followed by prayers and blessings over the new facility. A marble plaque was unveiled and the ribbon was cut to mark the formal opening of the room. Students presented a prayer dance and a reflective monologue, creating an atmosphere of dignity and inspiration.
In his message, Bishop Fernandes drew on the example of St Francis Xavier, highlighting the acronym SFX – Space, Fostering and ‘Xtra’. He explained that the new space was created to nurture curiosity, encourage growth and provide students with the tools, support and guidance they need to learn without struggle. He emphasised that the room is designed to foster excellence not through comparison, but through collaboration and the discovery of individual potential. Whether for remedial learning, creative projects or skill development, the space invites both teachers and students to go the extra mile and to embrace lifelong learning. He also recognised Dr Ashwin Fernandes for his dedication in extending similar educational initiatives across several schools in Goa.
Dr Fernandes expressed his appreciation for the school’s commitment to student welfare and outlined the purpose behind the new Academic Resource Room. He described it as a safe haven for students who require additional academic support and a vital space for specially-abled children, made accessible by its location on the ground floor. He shared that the project forms part of the PACT Foundation’s Happy School Project, an initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of education in rural Goa. Since 2023, the Foundation has been working to strengthen under-resourced schools by improving infrastructure, integrating technology and promoting inclusive learning environments. He reaffirmed the Foundation’s mission to provide every child with access to quality education and highlighted the room’s role in supporting students who wish to use it for extra study, equipped with a smart board and modern facilities.
Headmistress Noreen Dias expressed deep gratitude to the PACT Foundation for its consistent support through multiple projects, including the renovated pre-primary playground, the smart classroom and now the Academic Resource Room. She shared that creating such a room had long been her dream, especially for the children with special needs at the school. She noted that the use of modern technology, including the smart board, white board and improved furniture, would motivate students and significantly support their learning. She was particularly relieved that the room is located on the ground floor, making it easily accessible for a specially-abled student who previously struggled to reach the earlier resource space on an upper floor.
Fr Alexander Pereira, Manager and Parish Priest of Mary Immaculate Conception Church, Moira, described Dr Fernandes as a blessing to the school and highlighted the numerous projects the PACT Foundation has supported, including the playground for pre-kindergarten students and the smart classrooms. He expressed his hope that this meaningful collaboration would continue to enhance the facilities available to children in Moira and the surrounding areas. The launch of the Academic Resource Room stands as a testament to the school’s vision of providing an environment where students feel respected, supported and encouraged to reach their fullest potential.
