from daijiworld's special correspondent in Panaji

Panaji, Feb 17: All Goa Catholic Schools Day will be celebrated this year at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 19, 2007, with a special programme to be held at the Kala Academy, Panjim.

Promoted by the Archdiocesan Board of Education, which has under its umbrella more than 150 Catholic institutions imparting education in the State, the All Goa Catholic Schools Day is being observed for the last few years to appreciate the invaluable contribution and the dedication of employees in Catholic Schools who have been in service for 30 years or more.

Fifty such employees of all social and religious backgrounds will be felicitated on Monday and the services rendered to the A.B.E. institutions by civil authorities and persons in various Government offices will also be duly acknowledged. While Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao, the President of the A.B.E., will preside over the function, Mr. Luisinho Faleiro, the Hon. Minister for Education and Industries will be the Chief Guest and Mr. Uddipta Ray, Govt. Secretary for Education and Dr. Celsa Pinto, Director of Education will be the Guests of Honour.

The aim of the Archdiocesan Board of Education is to work towards excellence and to improve the quality of education in the State, while maintaining the catholic character of the Catholic Schools in Goa.