PANAJI
Responding to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s concerns over the decline in standard of education, educationists in the State have felt a need to develop concepts in mathematics right from the basic level.
“Students focus on last minute mugging and there is no development of mathematical skills. Many times, teachers do not teach concepts in mathematics and as a result, students do not show interest in the subject,” remarked Pandurang Nadkarni, educationist and ex-chairman of Goa Board.
“Teachers have to be trained regularly to impart concept-based education. Primary and secondary school teachers need regular training. There are problems with quality teachers at the primary level. Undergraduate teachers normally teach at Stds 5-8,” he said.
A headmaster Suraj Chodankar said students in Goa generally do not prepare for competitive exams.
“Till Std 9, students take studies lightly and only focus in Std 10. Standards of teaching in government primary schools also need to improve. Many times, teachers are given additional duties like survey or election duties during vacation and teachers do not get adequate time to prepare for lessons. Even headmasters were given election duties last year,” said Chodankar.
Vilas Satarkar of Goa Headmasters Association said it was too early to comment on the chief minister's statements, as the report of the National Average Achievement Survey 2021 had not reached them.
Gangaram Lambor, President of Goa Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) Teachers Association, said most teachers in government schools are on contract basis and cannot perform well due to job insecurity.
He also said schools mainly focus on securing 100 percent results in SSC and neglect the base level education.
“Aided schools don't care about the education department and function as they want. The standard of education has declined during the Covid pandemic, which has been reflected in the survey based on tests which were conducted soon after the pandemic.”
“In the last 10 years, the education department has totally neglected the performance of schools.”
A teacher from Panaji said the CM’s statement about applying the Central Civil Service rules is not practicable in Goa.
“Does the government want teachers to teach 12 classes per day? Is it possible to take such classes? Goan students are weak in Maths but they are good in other subjects. In Std 10, the number of students taking tuitions is significantly higher.”
