PORVORIM: A large number of concerned parents gathered at the Directorate of Education, Porvorim, to submit their objections and suggestions regarding the proposed amendment to Rule 21 of the Goa School Education Rules, 1986. The government had published the proposed draft rules in the Gazette on 13th March, allowing only five days for public feedback.
Hundreds of parents personally submitted their objections at the Directorate of Education (DOE), while many others voiced their concerns via email. The frustration among parents was palpable, with many expressing their worries over the implications of the proposed changes.
Cecille Rodrigues criticized the government for not consulting stakeholders and specially the PTA heads or parents before implementing changes. She noted that now that the matter is in the High Court, the government is hastily seeking public input with errors. Only 5 days were given for submitting out of which 3 were public holidays. She emphasized that teachers, headmasters, and parents have already submitted their objections via email and urged the government to consider these concerns.
She also mentioned that the official gazette had made a mistake and std XI has not been mentioned at all. She also called for a more comprehensive survey of all schools on ground level by visiting heads masters of schools in different talukas rather than relying on feedback from a single institution.
Concerns Raised by Parents: Saby Mascarenhas highlighted that on 16th May 2024, the Goa Board had cited rising temperatures and global warming as reasons to advance the Class 10 and 12 public exams by three weeks to a month for 2025. He questioned what had changed in a year, pointing out that temperatures have only increased, yet now younger students are expected to attend school during the peak summer heat.
Prasad Harmalkar criticized the unilateral decisions taken regarding the National Education Policy (NEP) without adequate consultation with stakeholders. He noted that his eldest child would be forced to attend school while his two younger children in primary classes remained at home, which could negatively impact the morale of the eldest. He also raised concerns about the logistical challenges of picking up children from school at 11:30 am, given that neither government nor private offices would allow employees to leave work early.
Adv Ana Clara Remedios voiced her disappointment with government officials, who have failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding the additional school hours being imposed in April. She said that the existing system already meets the required instructional hours and pointed out that the NEP was implemented for Class IX in 2024-25 without increasing school hours.
She also highlighted inconsistencies in the proposed academic calendar, where Class 1 to 5 and Class XI would follow a June-to-April schedule, while Class 6 to 10 and Class 12 would follow an April-to-March schedule. She questioned how this would work for students transitioning between these phases.
Tony Cardozo reported that the toilets at the Directorate of Education lacked water during the summer month of March, raising concerns about the conditions students would face in school at the peak of summer. He also pointed out issues like inadequate fans and lack of proper transport facilities.
Thelma Noronha echoed these concerns, stating that classrooms already suffer from poor ventilation, an insufficient number of fans, and water scarcity, making it difficult for children to concentrate and learn.
Another parent urged the government to focus on correcting existing errors in school textbooks, particularly at the primary level. She pointed out significant mistakes in the Konkani textbook, which is meant to preserve the mother tongue.
When asked about their course of action if the court’s verdict is unfavorable, Cecille Rodrigues said that each family would individually decide what is best for their children. However, they collectively urged the government to engage with all stakeholders and address the concerns raised before implementing any changes.
Parents reiterated their request for the government to engage with all schools at the ground level, ensuring that any changes benefit students rather than burden them.