Team Herald
PANJIM: The academic year for classes from standard 6 to 12 for schools in the State will begin from April instead of June, this, says an announcement from the government.
The Directorate of Education has announced that from the academic year 2025-26, the new academic session for Class 6 to 10 and Grade 12 will commence from 1st April in all government, government-aided, and unaided recognised schools across the state.
Director of Education Shailesh Sinai Zingde in a circular stated that classes for these grades will be conducted in April until 11:30 am. Students will then have their summer vacation from May 1 to June 3, with schools resuming regular timings from June 4, 2025.
“The heads of the institutions are enjoined upon to take appropriate action to commence the academic year from April 1,” the circular stated.
Commenting on the decision, Secretary for Education Prasad Lolienkar said “Beginning the academic year in April would make the month academically productive for students and help balance the number of instructional days in both terms.”
He explained that, under the current system, students attend school in April after their exams, but since these are not instructional days, their time in school is often unproductive.
Lolienkar also assured that holiday dates, particularly for Chaturthi and Christmas, would remain unchanged.
He further pointed out that several boards, including CBSE and ICSE, already commence their academic year in April. Additionally, states like Maharashtra and Mizoram have also opted for an April start.
The changes, he said, were made in view of the National Education Policy (NEP), as school timings in Goa cannot be altered due to many institutions operating morning and evening sessions for different student groups, such as elementary and high school students.
A meeting of school headmasters has been scheduled for Friday, 30th January 2025, to discuss the implementation of the revised academic calendar.
Teachers’ body opposes changes
PANJIM: The All Goa Secondary School Teachers’ Association (AGSSTA) has strongly opposed the proposed changes, warning that they will negatively impact students, teachers, and the overall education system in the State.
Speaking to O Heraldo, AGSSTA President Savio Suraj Victoria questioned the feasibility of the new schedule.
“According to the timetable sent by the board, the exams are ending on March 29. How can we decide about the promotion of the students? The SSC exams end on March 28. The reduced timings until 11:30 am are only for the current session. In the future, they will extend it to a full day," he said.
He also questioned how states like Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh could hold exams in January when they have winter vacations.
“I do not know where this idea has come from, because neither in the NEP nor in the NCF is it mentioned that the academic year must start in April,” Victoria added.
Criticising the centralisation of decisions, he asked: "If all decisions are to be taken by the central government, then what is the need for a state board? Why should we follow the CBSE pattern when states have been given the freedom to decide based on their geographic and climatic conditions?"