CANACONA: Four government primary schools (GPS) in Canacona at Muthal, Iddar, Malore and Dhavalkhajan, have been shut down this academic year due to low enrollment.
Some of the schools have a negligible number of students and the Canacona ADEI office has started the process of merging these schools with nearby schools.
In 58 GPSs in Canacona, there are 73 teachers teaching at these schools. Besides, the Education Department has appointed 19 teachers to teach English. These teachers have been given the responsibility of teaching in two schools each. There are also five para teachers and eight teachers working on a contract basis. These teachers too, are handling two to three schools at a time.
More than 15 teachers retired during the last educational year in Canacona. The Education Department’s decision to allow private schools to be opened has affected the government schools adversely. People from villages, shifting and settling into the towns and city has also impacted the GPSs in villages.
The number of government schools in Canacona which was 75-76 four years back has dwindled down to 58 at the moment. There were four ADEI in Canacona earlier, and currently only two have been given the responsibility. Out of the two, one has been given an extra charge of the Sanguem ADEI office. The Canacona ADEI office has its own vehicle and a driver but due to excessive duties, it seems that the ADEI cannot inspect the schools on a regular basis. However, the official during the first week of June visited 45 schools and discussed with the parents.
Some of the principals in the taluka are also given the responsibility of two schools. In high schools and higher secondary schools, teachers are employed on lecture basis.
