SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The schools in Goa will continue to remain closed for physical classes’ at least till October 2 in view of worsening COVID-19 situation in the State; while the online education will go on.
In the first phase, the Government intends to resume regular classes, only after assessing the situation post October 2 and in consultation with stakeholders, for Std X and XII, following strict health protocols.
The Government, however, has allowed on “voluntary” basis, students especially those who are facing problems with online-classes,
to visit schools to interact with teachers to solve their difficulties as per the guidelines mentioned in Unlock4.
The Educational institutions in the State have been shut since mid-March in wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant on Wednesday, held an online interaction with various stakeholders from the education sector. This was done to seek their views on the re-opening of schools as per the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines, which has allowed partial resuming classes from Std IX to XII on “voluntary basis” from September 21 to seek academic guidance.
The consultation was also held on issues that have been faced during the conduct of online-classes and implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP).
The meeting was attended by Secretary Education, Director Education, Chairman and Secretary of Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Taluka Assistant District Educational Inspectors ADEIs, representatives of Primary Teachers Association, Headmasters Association, Principal Forum, Diocesan Society of Education, Goa Urdu Teachers Association, Primary Teachers Association and Unaided School Association. However, no representative from the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) was present for the meeting.
BJP Shiroda MLA and former Education Minister Subhash Shirodkar attended the meeting as the Chairman of the Task Force formed to study NEP and draft State policy at the Primary and Secondary education.
During the consultation, the stakeholders extended their support for partial resumption of classes but pointed out the apprehensions raised by the parents with regards to safety of their wards considering the rising COVID-19 cases across the State and the fact that several teaching and non-teaching staff has also been infected.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister informed members that the government has decided not to re-open classes till October 2 and the decision will be taken post that after reviewing the COVID situation. “No classes will resume till October 2. We will review the situation after October 2 and accordingly in the first phase classes for student of Std X and XII will resume,” Sawant said.
He added that a detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) would be laid down for the schools before resuming physical classes. “The online classes will continue as it is. If any student is willing to interact with teachers, after consultation, (the student) can visit the school for necessary guidance and worksheet,” Sawant maintained.
Speaking to media persons post meeting, Sawant said that the decision regarding reopening of schools, especially Std X and XII will be taken only after October 2 in consultation with experts and considering the pandemic situation.
Sawant added that the decision has been taken considering rising COVID-19 cases in the State. He also said that by September 30, orders will be issued to the telecom operators who have applied for setting up mobile towers; thereby improving network connectivity.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister also appealed to the stakeholders and representatives to study the NEP and offer their suggestions to the task force committees formed. “Every teacher, headmaster and PTA member should study the policy and give their valuable inputs to the task force committees,” the Chief Minister said.
The meeting also saw, stakeholders pointing out to government over non-release of maintenance and Bal Rath grants to the schools
