1.

Education

During the first three centuries of Portuguese rule, education imparted in Goan society was mainly
of religious nature. The educational institutions which imparted primary, secondary, and higher
education, convents and seminaries founded by the various missionaries. The main aim of the
education given by the state and the missionaries was to achieve proselytization(conversion) of the
population of Goa.

Basilica Bom Jesus, Portuguese India

The efforts of the new missionaries to learn Konkani language and to teach Goans the Christian
doctrine through the local medium lasted only for a century, and then the missionaries changed
their policy and made the Portuguese government to force Portuguese language on the people of
Goa. Efforts were made to destroy the local language.

The educational policy of Portuguese government in Goa underwent a great change during the
period of constitution from 1822 and during the republican period from 1912. During these years
there were government primary schools and secondary schools, that were established. In 1812,
lyceum schools were introduced. The religious institutions and seminaries were monopolised, and
imparted the education for priesthood.

Portuguese-era court building

In 1812, the government founded the institution to teach naval and military arts and mathematics.
Later, it was renamed as 'Eschola Mathematicia E-militar.' In 1844, 'Escola Medica' or medical school
was started which conducted courses in surgery and pharmacy. In 1854, teacher training school was
established. In the same year, high school called Liceonacional de Nova Goa was established. And
about the same time, a class for teaching chemistry was founded.

In course of time, Escola Mathematicia E-militar was closed and in its place, a school for
experimental science called- 'Instituto professional' was established. After the establishment of
English teaching schools in British-India, several English medium schools were privately opened in
Goa in 19th century. In the second-half of the 19th century, Portuguese government opened
bilingual schools in the new conquest, where primary education was imparted in Portuguese and
Marathi. The government primary schools admitted students irrespective of their caste.

But, until 1910, the Hindus were discriminated against the prescribed syllabus, were taught through
printed textbooks which were introduced for the first time in Goa during the Portuguese period.
Mass production of textbooks at cheaper rates was facilitated through printing press which was
brought by Jesuits in Goa in 1556.
The education system introduced by Portuguese had a casting impact on the Goan society.
Education was open for all castes and creed after 1910. Thus, people of all castes could avail
education. Whereas, in pre-Portuguese Goa only the high-castes were allowed to take education.

T.B Cunha, Portuguese India

Tristao Braganca Cunha

The knowledge of Science, arts and humanities were imparted in the schools and colleges. The
English and Latin opened the vistas of modern western Science and literature. The knowledge of
History of Europe made Goans conscious to the right of freedom. Unfortunately, although the
western knowledge penetrated in the Goan society, nearly twenty years before it arrived in other
parts of India. The fact that education in early century was mainly of religious type, reduced its
beneficial effect.

One reason for low percentage of literacy in Goa was the result of policy, which aimed total
suppression of native culture and the imposition of Portuguese culture. The general effect of such an
imposition of Portuguese culture was the total uprooting of the Goan Christians from the native
culture which T.B Cunha termed as 'demoralisation of Goans'