PANAJI: Aldona Congress MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira on Friday slammed the Goa Education Department for what he said was a ‘ridiculous’ circular asking schools to maintain ‘drug-free’ zones outside their campuses.
“Does the Goa Education Department need schooling? Issuing the circular asking schools to ensure a 500-metre radius a drug free zone is ridiculous. Firstly, any institution can run its writ only inside the limit of its boundaries and cannot run anything outside its boundaries. Definitely it has no jurisdiction, nor business outside its property, forget its campus,” it said.
“The schools are situated in very highly densely populated areas. Do you think the head of the institution will go checking house to house? Does he have the right to do that?” he said.
“Does this circular imply an acknowledgement of rampant drug abuse in institutions in Goa. And finally, does this circular permit a drug zone outside the 500 metre radius. I think the department needs to act according to what is logical and not blindly accept a circular which keeps coming and following saying I have complied,” he also said.
“Instead of seeking a clarification from the NCB, the Directorate of education has issued this circular without due application of mind,” Adv Ferreira said.
