More teachers set to be trained after ongoing exams: SCERT chief

PANAJI

The State government on Monday held a meeting to review the progress and challenges faced by the stakeholders like teachers in implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which is being introduced in phase manner.

The meeting chaired by the Secretary Education Prasad Lolayekar held discussion on key issues related to content and training faced by the teachers. The meeting also decided to work-out a training schedule for teachers keeping in mind the examinations and other aspects.

Meanwhile, no policy decision with regards to implementing NEP at preparatory stage Grade III from the coming academic year 2025-26 onwards was taken.

Speaking to The Goan, Director for State Council for Education, Research and Training (SCERT) Meghana Shetgaonkar said that the meeting took a review of NEP implementation and various issues faced by the teachers. 

“The issues related to content, training, curriculum knowledge was discussed and modalities to overcome them,” she said.

Shetgaonkar said that the government has laid complete focus on providing adequate training to the teachers as per curriculum and more teachers would be trained in coming days. She said that the workshops for teachers would be now held after the ongoing examinations. 

The Directorate of Education has already announced implementation of NEP for Class VI and X from the coming term, which is set to commence from April 1.

In the current term, NEP recommendations were implemented for class IX and foundation stage two -- second year of preschool at age 4 -- while last year, the implementation began for foundational stage one (entry stage of preschool at age 3).

Highly placed sources said that a lack of updated curriculum knowledge , insufficient digital literacy skills, and challenges in adapting to interdisciplinary learning are some of the issues faced by teachers. 

“Teachers, particularly from the rural areas, are having a more tough time,” sources said.

Goa plans to complete the implementation of the NEP for all classes from preschool to Class XII by 2027-28 thus leading in the country with the first State to have implemented NEP in toto. 

Post academics, the State will take up physical restructuring of the schools as per requirement which may include relocating, upgrading or collocating in the school complexes.