Debate intensifies among PTAs in Goa over April start to academic year

Panaji: With the directorate of education (DoE) announcing that the new academic year 2025-26 for Class VI to X and XII will begin from April, parent-teacher associations (PTA) across Goa have started debating over the issue, with some running signature campaigns against the move and others passing resolutions in its favour.
Meanwhile, secretary education Prasad Lolayekar has called off the meeting he had earlier agreed to have with the parents and NEP experts in the state, in view of some parents now having approached the high court.
PTAs of 20-odd schools across Goa have gathered hundreds of signatures from parents who are opposed to the early start of the academic year that is being implemented in Goa as part of adopting the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
St Britto’s and St Mary’s High Schools at Mapusa, Fatima Convent and Loyola High Schools in Margao, Don Bosco High School in Panaji, and Holy Cross High School at Siolim are only some of the school PTAs that have gathered hundreds of signatures from parents opposing the April start to the academic year.
The parents’ main contention is that students’ health could be adversely affected due to the classes being conducted in the summer heat. The DoE has, however, said that the classes will only be held up to 11.30am to prevent any impact to children’s health.
Many PTAs have also written to the DoE to express their support to the petition already made by a group of parents opposing the early start to the academic year.
On the other hand, other school PTAs like Dr K B Hedgewar High School and Mushtifund High School at Cujira have supported the school year starting in April.
Hedgewar PTA secretary Pravin Naik said a resolution in support of this was passed by the PTA at its meeting last week.
“The school headmaster provided a comprehensive briefing to parents regarding the curriculum changes under NEP for Classes VI, IX and X. The headmaster explained the details of the implementation plan, ensuring that parents were well-informed about the transition. Following the discussion, former PTA president Deepa Tarker, proposed a resolution to support govt’s decision to commence the academic year in April. The resolution was then put to a vote and was unanimously approved by all the parents,” said Naik.
The meeting was attended by more than 250 parents.