Team Herald
CALANGUTE/MARGAO: Students from two prominent schools in Calangute —St Joseph’s High School and Little Flower of Jesus School — stayed away from classes on Monday, the first day of the new academic year, as part of a boycott called by their respective Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs). The boycott continued with many students staying away on the second day. The protest was part of a growing wave of opposition across the Syate to the government’s decision to begin the academic calendar from April 7.
At St Joseph’s High School, PTA chairperson Marie Fernandes stated that only four students attended classes on Tuesday, down from six on Monday out of a total of 223. “Parents are against sending their children to school during April,” said Fernandes. “They have written to the school management and the Education Department about their decision not to send their children to school during this period.”
The situation was reported to be similar at Little Flower of Jesus School, where students also remained absent as parents stood firm in their protest against the revised schedule.
St Joseph’s High School head, Brother Bhakti Nathan, confirmed that the school remained open in adherence to Education Department guidelines. “Parents told us they don't want to send their children to school, and this decision was taken by the PTA against the Education Department decision to shift school schedules without consulting them. Our school was open, and teachers are there and they will teach those students who attend,” he said.
Meanwhile, parents across South Goa have echoed similar frustrations, raising concerns over the intense heat, impractical class timings, and lack of consideration for working families. The abrupt shift to morning sessions—ending around 11.30am—has led to major logistical challenges, particularly for households where both parents are employed.
With no adjustments made to transportation services, many students are left to return home in overcrowded public buses during peak heat hours. Students themselves have reported extreme discomfort inside classrooms and during their commutes.
The rescheduling of the academic year without adequate consultation or preparation has left parents and students scrambling to adapt. Some parents, particularly those with children in crucial academic years such as Class X, reluctantly sent their children to school to avoid setbacks. However, others chose to join the boycott despite fears of isolation or disciplinary action.
In some cases, when parents formally informed schools of their decision to keep children home due to heat or travel concerns, they were reportedly dismissed. One parent said she was told the school would not accept responsibility if her child failed to meet attendance requirements.
Despite high attendance being reported at schools in other parts of South Goa on reopening day, parents maintain that their grievances are far from isolated and insist the decision to reopen in early April was poorly timed. They are calling on the government to urgently reconsider the academic calendar to prioritise student wellbeing over bureaucratic convenience.