PANAJI
As Goa aims to complete the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) by 2030 including physical restructuring, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has proposed the formation of Cluster University to bring together multiple colleges to promote academic collaboration and resource sharing.
The State Budget 2025-26 tabled in the House on Wednesday speaks about Cluster University to facilitate implementation of NEP thereby creating a more robust and multidisciplinary educational ecosystem.
The government has allocated almost Rs 3000 crore budget to the education sector of which Rs 2100 cr are allocated towards school education. However, the Budget provision is on the lower side compared to 2024-25, wherein a total of Rs 3,243.40 crore was earmarked towards the sector, Last year, school education received the maximum allocation of Rs 2,288.33 cr, an increase of over four per cent compared to 2023-24.
The government also proposes to develop the Mega College Campus near Panaji housing four major professional government colleges including Goa College of Pharmacy, Goa College of Architecture, Goa Fine Art College and Goa Music College.
The government has decided to make internships mandatory for all undergraduate courses. The internship initiative will be launched in a phased manner for students at various levels.
The government has proposed to introduce ‘Mukhyamantri Kaushalya Sahay Yojana’ providing skill kits worth Rs 20,000 per NSQF student. In a bid to inculcate e-learning right at the primary level, the government has announced the distribution of laptops to primary and middle schools.
Bharatiya Dnyan Parampara Kaksh to revive traditional learning methods while a centre of excellence in plumbing at Goa Engineering College would be established apart from introducing Skills on Wheels mobile units for training in rural areas.
The government has announced plans to launch a scheme providing alternate facilities for out-of-commission Balrath buses.
