Merger plans unlikely to revive dying govt primary schools in Cuncolim

CUNCOLIM: The State’s plan to merge government primary schools that have poor enrolment is likely to do very little to sustain these institutions as they continue to lose out to the better infrastructure and facilities offered by government-aided and private schools.

If the merger proposal does go through, areas like Cuncolim, which once boasted eight government primary schools, will soon be left with only one. Most of these schools presently operating in the Cuncolim municipal area are single-teacher institutions that accommodate students from Class I-IV in just one classroom due to dwindling numbers.

A teacher at one such school told Herald that the situation at almost all government primary schools is “miserable”. “No one is interested in saving these schools, which are among the State’s oldest educational institutions. It is an injustice to both the teachers as well as the students,” the teacher, a sole educator handling Classes I-IV, told Herald on condition of anonymity.

Herald found that there were four government primary schools with an overall enrolment of less than 15 students. 

And if the problem of poor enrolment persists, schools in neighbouring areas like Balli, Fatorpa, Velim, Assolna, Ambaulim and Ambelim – all of which teach in the Marathi medium – could likely be shut down entirely.

On the other hand, government-aided primary schools in these areas – which offer education either in the Marathi or English medium – have been registering high enrolment year on year. Parents attribute this to the better quality of education and vital infrastructure – such as a school bus service – available at aided and private schools. They point out that the government primary schools which have managed to be in operation thus far depend largely on migrant children.

“It is a fact that the standard of education at Goa’s government primary schools has plummeted due to poor planning. Closure or merger of such schools is not the solution,” said Kamlaksh Prabhugaonkar, a parent. 

“The government could either hand over such schools to education societies or ensure that quality education is provided,” Prabhugaonkar added.