Special Correspondent
Panaji
A delegation comprising parents and members of parent-teachers’ associations (PTAs) from various schools around Goa on Wednesday met the education secretary Prasad Lolyekar demanding that the decision to start the academic year 2025-26 from April 1 be rolled back and instead, the schools reopen during the first week of June as per the annual practice.
“April is one of the hottest months in Goa, with high temperatures and humidity making it very uncomfortable and unhealthy for students and teachers. Many areas also face water shortages, power cuts, and electricity fluctuations during this time,” the delegation stated in the memorandum they presented to Lolyekar.
The members of the delegation criticised the lack of transparency in implementing the national education policy 2020 in Goa.
“Neither the education department nor the schools have held meetings with parents to discuss the NEP implementation,” the delegation members said, adding, “Most schools do not even have enough washrooms, drinking water facilities, or other basic amenities.”
Concerns were also raised about the inability of students to take up summer vacation activities, in the event of the new academic year commencing on April 1.
“During the months of April and May, children usually participate in coaching camps, skill-based learning, and other recreational activities,” the parents said, adding that students would now have to attend regular classes instead of choosing recreational activities they enjoy.
The members of the delegation told the education secretary for that they found some discrepancies in the NEP implementation and wanted clarifications on them, including instructional hours.
The delegation had earlier met the Chief Minister, the education director as well as the director of State Council for Education, Research and Training.
Meanwhile, signature campaigns are in progress as undertaken by the PTA heads and parents in many schools, favouring reopening of schools in June.
