The Goa Directorate of Education (DoE) has withdrawn its controversial circulars regulating external interactions in schools, reversing the policy with immediate effect following widespread criticism from educators, political leaders and other stakeholders.
An order issued on July 17 by Director of Education Shailesh R. Sinai Zingde revoked two circulars released earlier this month. The withdrawn directives had required schools to obtain prior written approval from the Education Department before allowing external experts, organisations or NGOs to conduct programmes on campus. Institutions were also instructed to submit scripts and other programme details for official scrutiny before receiving permission.
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The circulars sparked criticism from several quarters, with opponents describing them as unnecessary restrictions that placed an additional administrative burden on schools. Critics also argued that the measures interfered with the autonomy of educational institutions and could discourage meaningful engagement with experts from outside the classroom.
Following the latest order, all instructions contained in the two earlier circulars stand cancelled with immediate effect, meaning schools are no longer bound by the previously prescribed approval process.
The rollback is being viewed as a significant policy reversal by the state government after concerns were raised over the practical implementation and impact of the directives. The move has been welcomed by many in the education sector, who had called for the withdrawal of the regulations.
The Directorate of Education has not announced any replacement guidelines so far. With the latest order, schools will continue functioning under the existing framework that was in place before the controversial circulars were introduced.
