This summer, the Goa government pushed through a drastic change to our children’s academic calendar—starting the school year in the peak heat of April instead of the usual June. Parents, teachers, and even school heads across the state raised the alarm: health risks, logistical chaos, and inadequate school infrastructure would make this move disastrous. They were right. And yet, despite formal objections, widespread public campaigns, and even a pending High Court petition, the Directorate of Education went ahead. Why? - Because they could. Not because they should. A Decision Without Dialogue The shift was proposed just five days before it was to be implemented, on a weekend no less, giving families no real chance to respond. And when they did—thousands of them—it was dismissed as “having no merit.” This is despite strong objections pointing out: No legal or policy mandate (NEP 2020 or NCFSE 2023) requires Goa to adopt an April start. Goa already meets or exceeds the required number of...
A platform dedicated to exploring the complexities and challenges of education in Goa, with a special focus on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP)