MAPUSA
Two prominent schools in Calangute – Little Flower Jesus High School and St Joseph’s High School – witnessed minimal attendance on Monday as parents staged a mass boycott of the reopening of schools for the new academic year.
The protest was organised by the Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) of both schools, who voiced concerns over extreme heat conditions, lack of consultation with stakeholders, and inadequate infrastructure.
The decision comes in response to the State government’s directive to commence the academic year from April 7, a shift from the usual reopening in June.
A parent representative from Little Flower Jesus High School, Jill Rodrigues, said a meeting was held on Saturday where a majority of parents voluntarily agreed not to send their children to school on the first day.
“Nobody was forced. It was a unanimous decision. We took signatures from those who agreed to the boycott and submitted a letter to the headmistress outlining our concerns,” Rodrigues stated.
She reported that attendance at Little Flower Jesus High School dropped drastically, with only 58 out of 700 students present on Monday.
“All parents who attended the meeting supported the cause, and we hope others will join in understanding the seriousness of the issues raised,” she added.
Similar sentiments were echoed by S Fernandes, a parent from St Joseph’s High School.
“As PTA members, we decided to stand against the government's abrupt decision. The boycott spans from Class 6 to Class 10 and even the St Joseph’s Home has supported the move,” Fernandes said.
Parents have cited multiple issues behind the protest, including the lack of proper school infrastructure and the severe summer heat.
At St Joseph’s High School, Fernandes pointed out that basic facilities such as toilets are located outside, making it difficult for students to manage in the sweltering weather.
“Schools typically undertake repair and maintenance during this time, which is now being disrupted,” Fernandes noted.
She also mentioned that several children, especially those of migrant families, have already planned to travel to their native places during the traditional summer break.
Despite the backlash, the State government has defended the decision to realign the academic calendar to match the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schedule, which runs from April to March.
The protest in Calangute highlights growing dissatisfaction among parents and school communities over policy changes implemented without adequate ground-level consultation or preparedness, especially in light of rising temperatures and inadequate school facilities.
