Team Herald
MARGAO: Citizens comprising children, parents, teachers, principals, among others thronged the historic Lohia Maidan, Margao, for the public meeting in support of the “No Schools in April” campaign.
Voicing their opposition to the government’s decision to start the new academic year on April 7, the campaign organisers reiterated their strong opposition to the Education Department’s notification and vowed to pursue all legal avenues. They urged the government to reconsider and engage in constructive dialogue with stakeholders to find a solution that prioritises the health, safety, and education of Goan children.
Parents and activists reiterated that they would not back down, emphasising that the government must address public concerns rather than impose unilateral decisions. Several speakers stressed that education policies should be formulated with community input, taking into account Goa’s unique climate, cultural traditions, and existing academic structure.
The meeting, attended by Opposition MLAs such as Vijai Sardesai, Venzy Viegas, Cruz Silva, and South Goa Congress MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, saw children reciting poems, singing songs, performing a skit, and expressing their concerns. They also created placards with slogans, adding to the growing chorus of opposition.
Parents passionately voiced concerns about the heat, lack of infrastructure, the difficulty of Hindi for Class VI students, removal of foreign languages, issues with the medium of instruction, and disruption of traditional holidays. They argued that the new academic terms were not balanced and that the government failed to justify the change. Some also pointed out that Goa’s tourism-dependent economy would be affected, as families typically plan vacations during April and May when schools are traditionally closed.
Parents demanded a transparent review of the academic calendar, adherence to National Education Policy (NEP) principles, proper teacher training before introducing new subjects, and a phased implementation instead of sudden changes. “The government may try to drown our voices with official circulars, but our voices will only grow louder,” a parent declared.
In speeches, sketches, and songs, children highlighted the unbearable heat, questioning how they were expected to manage four hours in classrooms when adults struggled for just minutes in the sun.
They pointed to widespread opposition from children, parents, and teachers, questioning why the government was acting against their interests.
Capt Viriato criticised the government not just for this decision but for other “ill-policies” jeopardising the younger generation’s future.
He recalled his childhood spent engaging in sports, culture, and music during the holidays.
He also promised to update parents on the response from the Union Education Minister.
Goa Forward Party (GFP) president and Fatorda MLA Sardesai called the move “insensitive, ego-driven, and anti-people”.
He accused the government of blindly copying policies from Delhi without understanding Goa’s realities. “They don’t even know Goa’s seasons. While Goa reels under extreme heat in April, they push children back into classrooms just because April is pleasant in Delhi.”
Sardesai questioned why online classes—deemed sufficient during Covid—weren’t considered and criticised the proposed school timings as impractical for working parents.
He alleged that the government was ignoring public opposition simply because the protest was led by the Opposition. “Just because Cecille Rodrigues and others are leading this, the government has turned it into an ego issue. This is sheer “dadagiri”. But we know how to take on such a government,” he said.
Sardesai also criticised the newly proposed school timings of 8 am to 11 am, arguing that they were unfair to working parents. “How can parents with full-time jobs manage pickups in the middle of their workday? This decision is disconnected from ground reality.”
Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas revealed that he had questioned Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in the Assembly, but claimed that the CM failed to provide a proper answer.
“The CM relies on officials in air-conditioned rooms who don’t grasp how unbearable this will be for students,” Viegas stated. He suggested that if parents don’t get relief from the court before April 7, they should protest outside schools with placards after dropping their children off.
AAP’s Velim MLA Cruz Silva recalled how an earlier decision to start the academic year from April 1 was also made suddenly before being reversed after parents petitioned the High Court.
He had raised the issue in two Assembly sessions without receiving answers. Silva sought details, including minutes of stakeholder meetings, and noted his own child is still in school. He pointed out that South Indian States modified the NEP to suit their students rather than blindly following it.
“If Goa follows everything from the Centre without questioning, it should rename the Goa Board as the Central Board,” he remarked.
Local activist Pratima Coutinho defended the quality of Goa Board education, countering claims that the calendar change was necessary for academic improvement. She cited ministers, MLAs, former ministers, and successful professionals who had studied under the Goa Board.
The meeting culminated in an interactive session where children took the stage to dance and sing along to a resistance anthem, which resonated deeply with the audience as a powerful expression of their determination to fight for their children's rights.
Parents submit memorandum
highlighting fundamental flaws
MARGAO: The parents’ memorandum submitted to the South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes, which will be sent to the Union Education Minister, systematically outlines what they describe as fundamental flaws in Goa’s hurried transition to an April academic calendar, presenting a detailed critique of the policy's implementation.
Criticising the lack of stakeholder consultation, they emphasised that teachers, students, and parents were never properly oriented about the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 changes, leaving schools scrambling to adapt. Infrastructure gaps further compound the problem, with many lacking basic facilities like clean water and functional washrooms, while the absence of vocational subject choices forces students into limited options, contradicting NEP’s promise of flexibility.
Climate remains a pressing concern, with April’s scorching heat and frequent power cuts making classrooms unbearable and unsafe.
Parents argue that the previous June start, aligned with Goa’s monsoon season, was deliberately chosen after legislative deliberation to avoid health risks like dehydration and heatstroke. The new schedule also disrupts holistic learning, as compulsory classroom hours exceed NCFSE recommendations, leaving no room for optional enrichment programs like sports or skill-building camps—a key NEP objective.
Beyond logistical failures, the memorandum questions the very rationale for the shift. Unlike CBSE/ICSE boards, neither NEP nor NCFSE mandates an April start, and Goa’s existing 220+ school days already meet instructional targets. Instead of easing academic pressure, the State has increased syllabi and classroom hours, worsening student stress. With their demands now reaching the Centre through MP Fernandes, parents are now seeking national intervention to protect Goa’s children from what they call an ill-conceived, harmful policy.