MARGAO
As concern mounts over the implementation of National Education Policy and the early start of the new academic year, former Chief Minister Churchill Alemao has called for immediate government intervention and a meaningful dialogue with parents, educators, and education experts. He has stressed on the importance of ensuring a smooth and effective implementation of NEP 2020 that prioritises the well-being and academic success of Goa’s students.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Alemao highlighted several critical issues causing widespread distress among parents and students, including the key concern over the contradictions with NEP 2020 and NCFSE 2023 principles. He said the new academic schedule appears to deviate from the core principles of the NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, causing confusion.
Saying there is lack of clarity on Class IX promotions, he said the absence of clear guidelines for the promotion of Class IX students for the 2024-25 academic year is causing significant anxiety. “The current language formula is perceived to contradict NEP 2020’s emphasis on multilingualism. The rapid implementation of changes may disrupt students’ learning and deny them their “Right to Opportunity”, he said.
Saying the government has not provided a clear and convincing rationale for the abrupt change in the academic year, Alemao further said the implementation of NEP 2020 in Class IX is being criticised as poorly planned and executed.
