Govt remains undecided on reopening schools for current academic year; decision to be taken on October 2
PANAJI
Even as the government remained undecided over re-opening schools for the current academic year, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said Goa will begin switching to the new National Education Policy (NEP) system from 2021-22 beginning June next year.
"The new national education policy will be implemented in a phased manner from 2021," Sawant who also holds the education portfolio, told the media.
The policy makes sweeping structural changes in formal education dumping the current 10-plus-two system and adapting to a four-stage 5+3+3+4 system.
The four stages the NEP proposes are: 'Foundational' stage which includes three years of pre-school and two years (Grades 1 & 2) of primary; 'Preparatory' stage comprising grades 3 to 5 and covering ages 8-11 of the child; 'Middle stage' from grades 6 to 8 and 'Secondary' stage covering grades 9 to 12 in two phases (9 and 10 in the first while 11 and 12 in the second).
Meanwhile, on the question of re-commencing physical classes in school, Sawant said a decision will be taken on October 2, claiming that for the students of Class Xth and XIIth it could begin very soon.
Sawant said that a lot of parents are in favour of starting physical classes and the government will take a decision by October 2. He appreciated the efforts taken by former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to start classes in the school managed by him.
On Goa's economic condition, the Chief Minister denied that the state was in debt trap due to continuous borrowings. While accepting that the revenue collection in the state has come down to 35 to 40 percent due to Covid-19 crisis, he said this has not affected the social welfare schemes implemented by the government.
“No social welfare scheme has been stopped because of financial crunch”, he said. He further informed that Goa had a total debt of Rs 20,240 crore when he took over the reins of the state. “During my tenure, we have taken a loan of Rs 2,500 crore and at the same time repaid the earlier loan of Rs 3,000 crore. We will try to put this is order by March next year”, he added.
