the goan I network
PANAJI
The State government may not grant permissions to open any new primary schools during the academic year 2017-18 onwards, owing to the adequate number of schools operating across the State.
Nonetheless, with the State already capping the number of English medium primary schools, the Directorate of Education (DoE) has already rejected seven applications that were received for starting new English primary schools.
Additionally, 14 applications have been received to open schools in Konkani medium, 12 in Marathi medium and six in Urdu medium. However, one of the institutions has applied for English/Marathi-medium school.
Speaking to The Goan, an official of the DoE informed that the State government may reject applications to open new primary schools as there are adequate schools to accommodate students.
“If we consider the number of schools operating across the State at present, then all the students can be accommodated. However, only if need be, the State government may mull over granting new permissions,” said the official.
Secondly, many government schools are already shutting down due to low enrolment, and therefore the government may reject the application so as to ensure this trend does not worsen. The DoE has already obtained a feasibility report regarding all these applications.
“Several government primary schools have shut down due to want of students in the last few years. Secondly, we also plan to amalgamate schools which have extremely low enrolment of one or two students. And if permissions are granted to new schools, this enrolment may slide further and result in closure of additional government schools,” he said.
Interestingly, most of the demands to open new primary schools are from Bardez taluka with nine applications, followed by Ponda and Sattari with six and five schools, respectively.
DOE has granted permissions to 95 primary schools - 69 during the academic year 2012-13, nine during 2013-14, two during 2014-15, six during 2015-16 and nine during 2016-17.
The statistics released by the Directorate of Education for the year 2016-17, mention
DoE has received 14 applications for starting primary schools in Konkani medium, 12 in Marathi medium, six in Urdu medium and one for English/Marathi medium
Most of the demands are from Bardez with nine applications, followed by Ponda and Sattari with six and five respectively
But DoE says all students can be accommodated in schools presently operational, and new permissions may be given only if need arises
With many government schools closing due to low enrolment, government may reject these applications as enrolment may slide further in government-run schools
Earlier, DOE had granted permissions to 95 primary schools - 69 during 2012-13, nine during 2013-14, two during 2014-15, six during 2015-16 and nine during 2016-17
