Goa is in a crisis as far as the education sector is concerned. Several education policies, be it curricular, infrastructure or research centric have come and gone. But the education sector of Goa continues to remain in limbo. This is the view of experts in the field of education who concede that while all the policies and decisions were great, lament that the implementation has never been implemented in full spirit.
The result of which can be seen in the books of early learning. These books, which are being used by the students of today, are the same which her/his parents used decades ago.
Experts had placed their hopes in the new National Education Policy (NEP) as a conduit that would help bring out the much needed change. This police was supposed to have been adopted by Goa, however the same, like many central rules, fizzled out, NEP faced some roadblocks and will now be adopted in a phased manner in the State.
NCERT’s survey
Though the education system is divided into pre-primary, primary, secondary, higher secondary and university levels, the most important foundation of a student is laid in the pre and primary section where they are at the peak of their grasping power.
To evaluate the standard of education, the National Achievements Survey (NAS) of 2017 was conducted by the Educational Survey Division of the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) under the UNICEF, throughout the country for Classes 3, 5 and 8 in government and government-aided schools. The survey tools used multiple tests in Mathematics, Language, Sciences and Social Sciences. The learning levels of 2.2 million students from 1,10,000 schools across 701 districts in all 36 States/UTs were assessed. The findings of the survey were aimed at helping and guiding education policy, planning and implementation at the National, State, District and classroom levels for improving learning levels of children and bringing about qualitative improvements.
The results in Goa were average in class 3 and 5 and low for Class 8. In Class 3, on an average, the correct responses to the subjects were 59% for Maths, 64% for EVS, and 66% for language. In Class 5, on an average, the correct responses to the subjects were 46% Maths, 48% EVS and 53% Languages. This percentage has dwindled down drastically in the tests of class 8th. In Class 8, on an average, the correct responses to the subjects were 60% to language 38% for Science, 34% Science, and a worrying percentage of 37% for Social Science.
11% of the school buildings need significant repairs while 85% of the children could understand what the teacher says in the classroom. What’s a matter of bigger concern is that only 59% teachers in the State fully understand the curricular goals.
view of Educationists
The Headmistress of the Bhatikar Model High School of Margao Sarita Malkarnekar acknowledged the same. “Our teaching methods are old and dated. Also, the teachers need to be updated with recent developments and innovative methods of teaching through regular workshops conducted by the Department of Education” she said. Malkarnekar added, “We have done a lot of improvement in the field of education but children are bombarded with knowledge but values are not incorporated in the system. There is no scope of creativity original thinking and research innovations etc. The mindset has to be changed” she said.
On this note, experts in the field emphasised the need to create a ‘vision education system’.
Various proposals for revision and revamping education may it be administrative or curricular have been conveyed to all the successive governments by educationists. However, they feel that the education portfolio remains on the backburner and as has happened before, it lies with the Chief Minister, who is pre-occupied with the affairs of the State and already holds several other portfolios. This, they point out has a trickledown effect as not enough attention is given to the education department and the reforms and policy changes that are the need of the hour are not given its due priority.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
An institution called Gomantak Bal Shikshan Parishad has been focusing on students from the age 3 to those in the 8th standard. Narayan Dessai, the President of the Parishad, said, “The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was a mission, which had to set aside all the red tapes and go in mission-mode in view of the urgent need to quickly improve education in elementary ages. However, in the bargain of putting in place nutrition, health, cleanliness, vaccination and diet – education finds itself at the bottom of the 8-point programme of the Anganwadi functioning of Integrated Child Development Service” said Dessai.
“We are not prepared to change the method, and where there is a method we don’t want to adopt the same. Goan students are worried about competition and is not at the forefront as far as the competitive examinations in concerned” said Narayan.
He further lamented that when it comes to bringing about changes in the State, the Education sector is always the last.
“We have been constantly reminding regarding the government about the need to have Counsellors in schools since 1998. Counsellors are being appointed now and there is one counsellor for 3 schools” Dessai added.
Need for Change
Educationists are also concerned that the National Curriculum Framework which was sent to Goa for adoption has been adopted in letter and spirit.
Experts also rued the fact that there appears to be no coordination between the agencies working in the field of education in Goa. It is also to be noted that the Health, Police and all other major departments have their own district offices but the Education department doesn’t have a district office. When asked to comment about this, Dessai said “The National Education Policy has the potential to create a better change in Goa’s education scenario. But, there has to be effective implementation” he said.
Ulhas Gaitonde, Manager of New Era School of Margao, said “Our students today are not empowered to take on the new challenges and competitions. The problem lies in the elementary education where loaded bags with books are given when it’s the age of playful learning,” said Gaitonde. “The parents don’t understand. The students have to go to tuitions even after learning in schools” pointed out Gaitonde.
“We have even met the former and the present Chief Minister. A committee was made for the implementation of our suggestions but no Chairman was appointed on the committee which fizzled out later” he added.
He also commented on the NEP and criticised its poor execution.
Gaitonde further praised the Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) assessment process which is envisaged in the Right to Education Act. However, he opined that the failed implementation of this process had created a negative impact on the entire education base of the students.
National Education Policy
The National Education Policy underlines the fact that we have not looked ahead into the implications of being the world’s third largest economy. “It will be a totally different environment. Ecosystems force us to think differently and achieving this milestone will usher in positive changes across the country,” added an expert.
All the educationists and parents have acknowledged that quality education will be a key part of the changeover to knowledge economy that is currently underway in parts of India but needs to encompass the entire country. The National Education Policy 2019 envisions an India-centric education system, which has the most emphasis placed on ‘Early Childhood Care and Education’. This is to ensure that every child in the age range of 3-6 years has access to free, safe, high quality, developmentally appropriate care and education by 2025.
The persons working in the Education Department and heading the department are sadly not from the education field and are promotion or officiating posts. A Superintendent of Police is an IPS, the Head of Health Department is a Doctor but the head of Education Department is either an IAS officer or a promotion post.
Improve quality of infrastructure and personnel
Experts further believe that education in Goa has suffered due to the lack of a fully functioning system, interest, assessment, coordination and manner of implementation.
There have also been calls to improve the quality of teaching staff, training, research as well as the general infrastructure available in the State such as the government schools.
“There are policies but no activities in that direction. The work of Parents Teachers Association is minimal in some schools. The responsibility of improving education in Goa is with the government but there hasn’t been an impetus in creating and driving change,” added an expert.
There have also been calls to ensure that the right personnel are appointed for posts of Director of Education, Chairman of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and other executive posts with a proper and well thought out plan to undertake reforms, right from elementary education to the level of higher studies. Sources in the government also pointed out that the Education Department is sidetracked as it is a department that spends and doesn’t generate as much revenue for the State.
