Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jul 12: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has dismissed concerns over the closure of government primary schools, attributing the decline to shifting parental preferences rather than state-led decisions. Speaking during a live session on the Mulyavardhan value-education programme, Sawant said that falling enrolment—caused by parents opting for aided or city-based schools—led to school mergers, not arbitrary shutdowns.

“No Marathi-medium government schools were closed down arbitrarily. In fact, many have been renovated or newly built. Mergers were made purely for administrative efficiency and to enhance teaching quality,” the Chief Minister clarified.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening public education, highlighting ongoing teacher recruitment aimed at deploying at least four teachers to every primary school, even the smallest ones. “We are committed to ensuring every Class I–IV government school has a complete teaching staff,” he said.

Value-Based Learning and Educational Reforms

Sawant underscored that Goa's education sector is undergoing a quiet but impactful transformation driven by value education, technology integration, and data-based governance. He credited the Mulyavardhan programme for instilling core values like honesty, empathy, justice, and equality in young learners through activity-based learning modules.

“We are not just building smart schools, we’re nurturing a smarter, more compassionate generation,” Sawant said, referencing NEP 2020 and NCF 2023 as key policy guides.

Mulyavardhan 3.0: Life Skills for a New Generation

Sawant announced the rollout of Mulyavardhan 3.0, which introduces four practical life skill subjects:
• Waste Management
• Personal Hygiene
• Road Safety
• Yoga

These additions, he said, are more than academic—they are essential to holistic development.

“From teaching children how to manage dry waste to instilling traffic discipline, these skills will shape responsible citizens,” he added.

Yoga, in particular, has been emphasized for its benefits on concentration and mental well-being. The CM urged schools to hold daily 15-minute yoga and pranayama sessions to help students cope with academic stress and enhance focus.
Modern Infrastructure and Future-Ready Skills

Sawant highlighted the state’s investment in modernising school infrastructure, including smart classrooms, digital tools, and thematic architecture that honours national heroes. The education system is also gearing up for the digital future, with over 65,000 students in 440+ schools receiving training in coding and robotics.

Real-time performance tracking is enabled through the Vidya Samiksha Kendra, which monitors over two lakh students and teachers, allowing timely interventions and data-driven decisions to improve learning outcomes.

Strict Guidelines on Transport and Literacy Drive

The Chief Minister cautioned against misuse of the Balrath school transport scheme, which is strictly intended for students living within a 3-km radius of their schools.

He also spotlighted the success of the New India Literacy Programme, noting that Goa has reached 99.27% adult literacy, inching closer to becoming a 100% literate state.

A Vision for Inclusive, Compassionate Education

In closing, Sawant called for more empathetic classroom practices, urging educators to move away from punitive discipline and instead focus on nurturing student creativity and emotional well-being.

“We’re not just reforming education—we’re reimagining it to build an enlightened, empowered next generation,” the Chief Minister concluded.