PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has urged the teaching community to adopt a more compassionate, holistic approach to education and guide children beyond academics.
In a candid interaction with teachers and students during a live session on ‘Mulyavardhan’ program on Saturday, CM also expressed disappointment over police cases against teachers for alleged assault on students.
“It is really disheartening to see that there are police complaints against teachers for beating students. Beating children is not the way out. With love, they can be taught. It pains me, as the education minister, when I get these complaints,” he said.
Sawant emphasised the importance of nurturing all-round development in students, stating there was a need to also encourage creativity through singing, dancing, painting, and sports among other extra-curricular activities. “We need all-rounder teachers and students. Students should be shown the path and they will shape a good future. Whatever enters their mind at a young age stays with them. Mulyavardhan has to be followed,” he said.
The CM further called on teachers to become mentors who draw out latent talent and creativity in students, saying this approach would go a long way in shaping confident, responsible citizens.
Sawant also urged students to be responsible particularly in their use of mobile phones, warning against the distractions posed by social media and short video platforms.
“The use of mobile phones is good but there are also bad effects. Reels and unwanted things should not be viewed... Students should play on the ground, not on the phone,” he said, stressing the importance of physical activity. “Daily exercise is important. Both physical and mental fitness are essential along with studies.”
He encouraged schools to incorporate fitness routines and praised institutions that have adopted diverse co-curricular activities.
Road safety (sub heads)
Touching upon the rising concern of road accidents in the state, Sawant expressed concern that despite its small size, Goa has witnessed an average of three to four accidents a day, with at least one fatality. “These are worrying numbers. Road safety rules, including how to drive and cross roads, etc must be taught early. These children will be the future of road safety,” he said.
Yoga
Sawant also echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for yoga and its mental benefits suggesting that schools start these on a daily basis. “Pranayama and yoga should be done daily. There will be a positive impact on the body and the mind. I urge all teachers to lead by example and practice yoga with their students. Just 15 minutes in the morning can bring a big positive change,” he said.
Schools infra
Responding to criticism that the State government has shut down government primary schools, the CM clarified that closures occurred only because parents either relocated their children to other schools or it was in cases where schools existed nearby.
“We have not shut primary schools arbitrarily. Parents shifted children to the city or aided schools, and some government primary schools had too few students. In other cases where two schools existed in close proximity, we merged them. We have also provided transportation for teachers where needed,” he said.
He also categorically denied any closures of Marathi-medium primary schools stating that maximum schools have been repaired, renovated and new ones built.
Sawant said the government had equipped at least one modern classroom in every school, with plans to expand digital and smart facilities in schools that currently lack them.
He further spoke about the introduction of robotics and coding from Class VI onwards, with over 65,000 students in 440 schools already participating. “Our summer boot camps across 750-plus schools have yielded young innovators and problem solvers. Our students have participated at national and international levels in coding and robotics. This is a big achievement for Goa,” he said.
Sawant credited teachers for encouraging student innovation. “They are doing a good job in mentoring students. We must prepare them for a future where not everyone has to become a doctor or engineer. Skills training is the key,” he said.
On Bal Rath, he made it clear that school buses are provided only for a 3 km distance between schools and residences, and not beyond.
