PANAJI
The new academic year 2025-26 for Classes VI to X and XII commenced on Monday (April 7) across Goa with a government notification already in place and a green signal from the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
Classes are being conducted from 8 am to 11:30 am till the end of April, after which students will break for a month-long summer vacation in May. The schedule is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and classes will resume in June.
However, the reopening also saw a group of parents holding a silent protest outside the Directorate of Education (DoE) in Porvorim criticizing the move as “rushed” and lacking proper consultation. Protesters, some of whom were accompanied by underage children, held placards and expressed disappointment with the development.
“We are not against the NEP or the Learning Enhancement Programme but there has been no dialogue, no stakeholder meetings. A top-down rollout like this affects thousands of students and teachers,” said one parent.
Despite the discontent, the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education had already issued clear instructions to students ahead of the reopening. Officials in the education department told The Goan that the first day witnessed encouraging attendance and positive response from both students and parents.
“This will help the education system meet the mandated 1,200 instructional hours under NEP 2020,” a senior official said, adding, “Earlier, schools could only manage around 1,045 hours under the old structure. We will enhance our education system in line with the Central boards.”
As per the revised academic calendar, the first term will be held from April 7 to October 15, while the second term will run from November 4 to March 24, 2026.
Major holidays have also been scheduled, with Ganesh Chaturthi break from August 26 to September 1, Diwali holidays from October 16 to November 3, and Christmas vacation from December 24 to January 2.
The DoE has directed schools to complete the First Summative or Terminal examinations by October 7, while the Second Summative assessments are to be preferably held before March 13, 2026.
Government sources said officials are closely monitoring the transition to ensure students do not face any inconvenience.
