PANAJI
The Government may have tried to give a new lease of life to the government-run primary schools in the State, but there are 156 government primary schools which have an enrolment of ten or less than 10 students.
Of these 156 schools, 135 schools have enrolment between 1 and 10 students, while 21 schools have zero enrolment.
As per the written reply tabled by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, there are 780 government primary schools in the State, of which 415 are in North Goa and 365 in South Goa. Presently, 21,214 students are studying in government primary schools across the State.
Interestingly, there are two schools which have enrolment of more than 200 students - GPS, Vithalapur in Bicholim taluka with 210 students and GPS Zuarinagar in Mormugao with 201 students.
Additionally, there are 22 schools with a strength of more than 100 students.
Sattari has 23 schools with enrolment between 1-10 students followed by Ponda with 22 schools and Canacona with 17 schools. However Bardez has the highest with five schools having zero enrolment.
In the last five years, Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation has spent nearly Rs 53 crore to repair 318 government schools.
In another reply, Chief Minister, who is also the Education Minister has stated that 596 schools are yet to be repaired.
"Government is doing its level best to improve the enrolment in government primary schools by implementing schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid-Day Meals Scheme", stated the reply.
Additionally, free text books, note books, uniforms and raincoats are being provided to students at primary level. Nonetheless, the government has also appointed trained English teachers in these schools.
