Tag: Education Goa

EduConnect

Cyber Smart Generation: Awareness Drive Held at St. Francis Xavier’s High School, Siolim

Tanisha Cardozo

A significant step towards building digital awareness among young students was witnessed in Siolim, Goa, as a cyber awareness and online safety programme was conducted at St. Francis Xavier’s High School on 25th February 2026. The initiative was organised by the Siolim Free Legal Aid Cell of V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, aiming to equip students with essential knowledge to navigate the increasingly complex digital world safely.

The session was led by PSI Sahil Vijay Warang, Police Sub-Inspector from Anjuna Police Station, who addressed the students as the guest speaker. His talk focused on the growing threats of cybercrime and the importance of awareness as the first line of defence. The programme was held in the presence of Fr. Dilip Tete, Headmaster of the school, and Fr. Marcos Dsouza, Principal of the Higher Secondary section, both of whom appreciated the initiative and its relevance in today’s digital age.

With participation from approximately 600 to 650 students, along with teachers and members of the Legal Aid Cell, the session turned into an engaging and insightful learning experience. Students were introduced to the concept of cybercrime as an “unseen danger,” where criminals often exploit human emotions such as fear, greed, and curiosity rather than relying solely on advanced technology.

PSI Warang shared real-life examples of various online frauds, including fake investment schemes, job scams, sextortion cases, fake loan applications, impersonation frauds, matrimonial scams, and online booking frauds. He also explained newer threats such as digital arrest scams and emotional manipulation tactics, helping students understand how easily individuals can fall prey without proper awareness.

A key focus of the session was on developing a responsible digital mindset. Students were encouraged to stay cautious while using social media platforms, online games, and digital payment systems. Practical tips were shared on identifying suspicious links, protecting personal information, and verifying online transactions before taking action.

The session also introduced students to important safety resources such as the National Cybercrime Helpline 1930 and official cybercrime reporting platforms, empowering them with tools to seek help in case of any online threat. The interactive nature of the programme allowed students to actively participate, ask questions, and relate to real-world scenarios discussed during the session.

Faculty members, including Assistant Professor Shreya Shah, who serves as the Faculty Incharge of the Legal Aid Cell, along with student coordinators and school staff, played a key role in organising the event. Their efforts ensured that the programme was both informative and impactful.

The event concluded with a strong message: awareness is the most powerful defence against cybercrime. As students left the session more informed and alert, the programme successfully reinforced the importance of staying vigilant in an increasingly digital world.

EduConnect

St. Thomas HSS Aldona Hosts All Goa News Presentation Contest, Budding Anchors Shine Bright

Tanisha Cardozo

St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Aldona, in association with its Parent Teachers’ Association, organized the All Goa Inter-Higher Secondary School News Presentation Competition on 13th September 2025. Held in the school’s auditorium, the contest was themed “Voices of Hope: News that Inspires, Uplifts, and Ignites Optimism.”

Fifteen higher secondary schools from across Goa participated in the unique and uplifting event, presenting news stories through PowerPoint-supported segments designed to inspire, inform, and engage. The competition was a showcase of creativity, confidence, and storytelling prowess, as student anchors brought a wave of positive journalism to the stage.

The event’s Chief Guest, Shri Promod Acharya, Editorial Director of Prudent Media Network, commended the participants’ outstanding efforts. He noted that several presentations surpassed the quality of professional news anchoring and emphasized the power young voices have to shape public sentiment by choosing to tell stories that bring hope. “Readers decide what becomes news,” he reminded the participants, urging them to spread optimism in their storytelling.

Joining the jury were media professionals Ms. Alisha Caraline Fernandes, Producer at Rashtra TV, and Ms. Nitiksha Mahadev Gaonkar, Reporter at Goa 365 News Channel, who brought their expertise in evaluating both content and presentation.

The winners of the event were:

1st Place – Ms. Juyee Manesh Gawas from Vasantrao Dempo HSS, Cujira

2nd Place – Ms. Carol Fernandes from St. Thomas HSS, Aldona

3rd Place – Mast. Yash Jagdish Durbhatkar from St. Andrew’s HSS, Vasco

1st Consolation – Ms. Chetana Naik from Dr. K.B. Hedgewar HSS, Cujira

2nd Consolation – Ms. Meagan Grace Dias from G.V.M.’s SNJA HSS, Ponda

All participants were presented with certificates of appreciation, while the winners received trophies, certificates, and cash prizes in recognition of their hard work and excellence.

The contest was efficiently coordinated by Sir Daryl John Abranches and Tr. Lavina Pereira, with wholehearted support from the teaching and non-teaching staff and an enthusiastic team of student volunteers. Principal Angelica Fernandes expressed heartfelt thanks to all participants, judges, guests, and supporting schools, affirming that the event had successfully highlighted the emerging voices of young journalists in Goa.

The Management of St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Aldona extended special appreciation to all participating institutions for their contributions in making the event a meaningful celebration of positivity and youth-driven journalism.

EduConnect

JCI Sanquelim Hosts JCSAT for 100 Students; Applauded by Local Educators

Tanisha Cardozo

In a significant step toward promoting student aptitude and scholarship opportunities, JCI Sanquelim hosted the National Level JCSAT (JCI Scholarship and Aptitude Test) for 100 students from three prominent institutions: Progress High School Sankhali, Government Higher Secondary School Sankhali, and Government Higher Secondary School Valpoi.

The JCSAT aims to identify and encourage young minds through a structured aptitude test while also opening avenues for scholarships and further academic support. This impactful event reflects JCI India’s commitment to youth empowerment and education at the grassroots level.

The initiative received high praise from Shri Shrikrishna Naik, Principal of GHSS Sankhali and GHSS Valpoi, who commended JCI Sanquelim’s efforts in bringing such a valuable platform to rural and semi-urban students. Teacher Daya Tendulkar from Progress High School Sankhali also expressed gratitude, emphasizing how these opportunities create a positive shift in the academic motivation of students.

Such collaborations between educational institutions and civic organizations like JCI are crucial to nurturing talent and ensuring every student gets a fair chance at success.

Events in Goa

“My Nation, My Garden”: A Bloom of Young Voices at Bal Kavi Sammelan 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

In a heartwarming celebration leading up to India’s 78th Independence Day, Konkani Shanti Publications (KSP) hosted the Bal Kavi Sammelan on August 13, 2025, at the prestigious Ravindra Bhavan in Margao, Goa. The event invited student poets from schools across the state to recite original works under the evocative theme “My Nation, My Garden.”

The program opened with a stirring address from KSP President Mr. Samiullah Belwadi, who passionately emphasized the beauty of India’s linguistic and cultural plurality. “Just as a garden thrives with a variety of flowers, our nation flourishes with a diversity of languages and traditions,” he said. His message of unity in diversity resonated throughout the evening.

Chief Guest N. Shivdas, a celebrated writer and social activist, encouraged young minds to find poetry through introspection and observation. “True poetry is not written—it is felt,” he shared, urging students to remain open to the world around them.

The competition drew an impressive range of multilingual entries, judged by a distinguished panel of literary figures including Chitra Kshirsagar, Ramesh Ghadi, Sheetal Salgaokar, Purnima Desai, and Sharmin Deshmukh. The judges praised the originality and heartfelt emotion conveyed by the young poets, and commended KSP for nurturing literary culture among children.

Notable winners included:

  • Aafiya Shaikh – Deepvihar Primary School
  • Saijat Anjul Fall Dessai – Tiny Tots Primary School
  • Adhvaiya Kunkolikar – Popular Prathamik Vidhyalay
  • Aisafa Begum Khan, Zaida Mehboob Shaikh, Ayesha Baig – Crescent School
  • Aabed Farhan Onti – Maarif Modest Education
  • Asad Shaikh – Loyola High School
  • Zainab Khanam Soudagar – Keshav Smruti Bal Vikas School

Adding musical cheer, students from Popular English High School, Goa Velha, presented a special patriotic song, stirring national pride among the audience.

Afrah Sayyed, who served as convenor, ensured the event ran smoothly, reflecting KSP’s ongoing commitment to cultural education and harmony.

In his closing note, Mr. Asif Hussain spoke about the power of young voices in shaping the nation’s future. “Their hope and clarity reflect the vision of our founding fathers,” he said. “They are our brightest bloom in the garden of India.”

From poignant verses to unfiltered dreams, Bal Kavi Sammelan 2025 was not just a competition—it was a celebration of language, unity, and a shared national spirit.