Panaji: Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira on Monday hit out at the state government for “stalling” the discussion in the House on the “rushed implementation” of the new National Education Policy (NEP).
Addressing a press conference along with Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, Ferreira said that the ruling BJP MLAs arrived with placards and disrupted the proceedings.
“They didn’t allow us to raise our issues regarding NEP. Time was spent on this, and the House was adjourned. There were backroom manoeuvres to stall this discussion today. It was a planned conspiracy to derail our session in the morning during Question Hour. I was told that officers were telephoning people to know what I would speak on NEP today,” he said.
The Congress MLA said there is “misdirection” and “non-implementation in a proper manner” of NEP.
“This is a dishonest approach by the government, and I think the department should seriously think that we are not enemies. This is the future of children and of the youth. People are not opposing NEP, they are opposing the manner of rushed implementation of NEP without preparing the groundwork which is completely fraud and incorrect,” he said.
In his explanation, Ferreira said that the state government has adopted the National Credit Framework (NCrF) based on CBSE circular and pattern “which does not fit with Goa state which follows the NCERT pattern”.
“There is a need to integrate the different stages of schools. On the choice of subjects of students, there is a need to focus on the secondary stage from 9th to 12th. There is no choice in 11th and 12th standards. Students start studying a subject in 9th and 10th which is then abandoned in 11th and 12th and then they are forced to take what is given. Instead, opt for NCF under NCERT which includes pedagogue, languages, recreation, hours of study and syllabus. This was not taken into consideration. Can the education director issue circulars contradictory to NEP?” he queried.
He said that the syllabus had been rushed and announced. “Teachers have not been trained in the subjects. Only a session was held on what is NEP. Instead, explain the concepts and the flow. Do you start something just to run, just because you want a gold medal for finishing first?” he said.
Ferreira hit out at Education Secretary Prasad Lolyekar for his interview on NEP, before the answers were given to questions submitted in the House.
“This exposes his ignorance. I am ready to come in the House or on a public platform. I challenge, let the entire department be on the other side, I will stand alone and expose them topic by topic how they are misdirecting themselves,” he said.