Goa schools reopen in April instead of June; Students brave heat, show 90% attendance

Panaji: In a first for the state, schools across Goa commenced their new academic year in April instead of the traditional June start, with education officials reporting a largely positive response from students, though some raised concerns about the heat.

As schools reopened on Monday under the revised schedule, approximately 90 per cent of students marked their attendance, according to officials. The shift aligns with the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) in Goa.

Government figures show that 2,153 schools in the state run classes from Standard 5 to 12. On Monday, classes resumed for students from Standards 6 to 12.

To assess the first day, State Education Secretary Prasad Lolayekar visited several schools in Panaji. He said the visit aimed to understand both attendance trends and student reactions to the rescheduled academic year.

"We also wanted to know whether students are upset because of preponing of the academic year. There is 90 per cent attendance in schools across Goa, some schools have reported 100 per cent attendance also. All the students have come willingly," he said.

After interacting with students, he noted that the majority expressed satisfaction with the early start.

"Some students were, however, upset," he said adding they complained about the heat.

Lolayekar said that around 80 per cent of students were in favour of the government’s move to prepone the academic calendar.

"We also took other feedback on the National Education Policy and what are the expectations of the students," he said.

Lolayekar said students told him that they want sports coaching at the school level.

"The students said sports infrastructure should be created in the schools," he added.

PTI