THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said students have every democratic right to protest over issues affecting their education, but criticised the recent agitation over the NEET examination, saying it had "stooped to the lowest intellectual level" after placards demanding the release of activist Umar Khalid appeared during the demonstration.
Addressing the sixth anniversary celebrations of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Sawant said there was nothing objectionable about students protesting over NEET, but argued that the messaging and conduct during the agitation diverted attention from the original issue.
"Students definitely have the right to protest. I can understand an agitation over NEET. But the kind of acts, thoughts and language displayed during the agitation cannot be of students. Many of us have participated in student agitations in the past, but nobody stooped to such a low intellectual level," he said.
Referring to placards displayed during the protest at Azad Maidan seeking Umar Khalid's release, Sawant questioned their relevance to the NEET issue.
"I can understand a demand for the Education Minister's resignation over NEET. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has acted in the interest of students and the nation. But who is Umar Khalid? Why should placards demanding Khalid's release be displayed during a NEET protest?" he asked.
Sawant alleged that such issues shifted the focus away from students' concerns and expressed concern over the involvement of people from outside Goa in student protests.
"It is time we think why this is happening. We need to awaken our youth, or else this will disturb our communal harmony. When we speak about Viksit Goa and Viksit Bharat 2047, this is what hurts me. It is important to check who is being called from outside to participate in protests in Goa," he said.
Calling on teachers, educationists and academic leaders to play a greater role in shaping young minds, Sawant said the NEP was aimed at creating responsible citizens and not merely producing degree holders.
"While implementing NEP 2020, we don't just need degree holders; we need to shape cultured, nationalist students who can build their careers, decide their future and are ready to dedicate themselves to the nation," he said.
Highlighting Goa's progress, the Chief Minister said the State had emerged as a national leader in implementing the policy despite initial opposition.
Looking ahead, he said Goa was ready to undertake higher education reforms under the NEP and stressed that education should nurture life skills, creativity and critical thinking. He also advocated introducing career guidance and skill development from Class VIII.
On artificial intelligence, Sawant said technology would not replace teachers but would instead enhance teaching and learning.
