100-Year-Old Goa School Gets a Stunning Makeover, All 12 Classrooms Turn Smart

 

A century-old school in Margao, Goa, has undergone a major transformation, with all 12 classrooms converted into smart learning spaces within just three months, thanks to support from alumni, parents, teachers and the wider community.

The Shree Damodar Higher Secondary School of Science in Comba, Margao, which previously lacked even basic digital facilities, now has digital screens, smart boards and technology-enabled teaching tools.

The transformation was led by the Mathagramasht Hindu Sabha and came amid calls for greater community participation in strengthening educational institutions.

From Basic Classrooms to Smart Learning Spaces

The school serves around 500 students and has maintained a strong academic record despite facing financial constraints.

As part of the modernisation project, all 12 classrooms were equipped with digital teaching facilities. The school's electrical wiring was also completely upgraded to support the new technology.

The initiative brought together former students, parents, teachers and education officials, who contributed both financial resources and expertise to complete the project.

Sindhu Prabhudesai, deputy director of education and the newly appointed government authorised officer for Mathagramasht Hindu Sabha schools, said many alumni, including doctors and engineers, were willing to contribute to the school's development.

According to her, the key was ensuring donors that their contributions would be used effectively for the institution.

Technology Changes Classroom Learning

Teachers have also been trained to use the new digital resources as part of regular classroom teaching.

The technology is being used to make difficult concepts easier for students to understand. For instance, science students can now use animated simulations to learn about the functioning of the human heart within seconds.

Smart boards can also be used for quizzes, assessments and interactive classroom activities, making lessons more engaging for students.

Prabhudesai said even senior teachers adapted quickly to the new technology, demonstrating that digital tools can be integrated into classrooms regardless of a teacher's age or experience.

Community Support Drives Change

The project highlights the potential of community participation in improving school infrastructure, particularly for institutions facing financial limitations.

Alumni and parents were involved not only in funding but also in supporting the school's broader development. Teachers, meanwhile, received training to ensure the technology was used effectively rather than simply installed as infrastructure.

Prabhudesai stressed that technology should complement traditional teaching rather than replace teachers.

The initiative demonstrates how collaboration between schools and their communities can modernise learning environments while retaining the role of teachers at the centre of education.

For the century-old Margao institution, the three-month transformation marks a significant shift—from classrooms with limited digital resources to a modern, technology-enabled learning environment built largely through community support.