Tag: Goa Board

EduConnect

Goa Board to Implement NEP Across All Classes from 2026-27

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji: Beginning the academic year 2026-27, the Goa government has decided to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) across all classes in state board-affiliated schools.


Until 2025-26, NEP guidelines were introduced at the nursery level, Class III, Class VI, and Classes IX and X. As per a circular issued by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), the policy will now extend to Classes I-II, IV-V and VII-VIII, ensuring full-scale implementation across grades.

Under the new framework, all students will be evaluated using a credit-based system, with each credit equivalent to 30 notional hours of learning.

The SCERT will provide newly developed NEP-aligned textbooks free of cost to all government and government-aided schools.

At the foundational stage (Classes I and II), students will study additional subjects such as art and craft, sports, yoga, reading and gardening activities alongside regular academic subjects. A common syllabus will be introduced for art and craft, sports and yoga.

For Classes I and II, there will be six periods per day, each lasting 40 minutes. Institutions must ensure a minimum of four instructional hours per day, including the morning assembly, excluding recess. Assessments for these classes will be conducted internally.

Students in Classes III to V must complete a minimum of 1,000 learning hours per year. To meet this requirement, 10 hours will be allocated for reading at home. These classes will follow an eight-period schedule per day, with each period lasting 40 minutes, ensuring a minimum of five instructional hours daily, including morning assembly and excluding recess.

For Classes VI to VIII, practical examinations will be conducted in the presence of an external examiner, as part of the revised evaluation structure.

The decision marks a significant step in aligning Goa’s state education system with the National Education Policy framework, focusing on holistic learning, structured evaluation and expanded subject exposure across all grade levels.

EduConnect

Empowering Talent: Students with Disabilities Craft Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idols at Sanjay Centre, Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

In a heartening display of inclusion, creativity, and sustainability, students at the Sanjay Centre for Special Education in Porvorim showcased their artistic talents at a Ganesh idol-making workshop organised by Mapusa Kalakirti in collaboration with Bal Bhavan Panaji. The event saw the presence of Subhash Phaldessai, Minister for Social Welfare and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, who commended the students for their craftsmanship and praised the efforts of teachers and parents who have nurtured their creative journey.

The workshop focused on producing eco-friendly Ganesh idols using pure shadu clay, a traditional material known for being water-soluble and environment-friendly. The students displayed idols modeled after iconic depictions like Lalbaugcha Raja and “Bappa Sitting on Undir,” reflecting their three years of commercial training. Under the guidance of Bal Bhavan instructors and dedicated teachers, students adopted modern techniques while honoring traditional rituals, producing beautifully detailed idols now available for public purchase at Sanjay Centre, Porvorim, for ₹2,000 each.

State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Guruprasad Pawaskar, proposed an exciting opportunity for the students to demonstrate their skills through a live street workstation during the upcoming International Purple Fest Goa 2025, scheduled for October 9–12. He further announced that, under Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant’s leadership, the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education will introduce Vocational Equivalency Certificates for persons with disabilities who cannot pursue conventional academic pathways—an important step toward formal recognition of skill-based education.

Prerna Pawaskar of Mapusa Kalakirti welcomed the gathering, sharing that such workshops are held annually, with this year’s edition focusing on commercial outcomes to promote entrepreneurship. Dignitaries present included Paulo Rodrigues, Accounts Officer, Sanjay School; Premanand Khumbar of Bal Bhavan; and Tatu Kudalkar, Headmaster, Sanjay School. Training was provided by teachers Ranjeeta Narvekar, Shri Deepesh Shetkar, Sanjay Mandrekar, and Ravi Harmalkar, while Shweta Harmalkar served as compere and delivered the vote of thanks.

The initiative stands as a powerful example of how inclusive platforms and focused vocational training can empower youth with disabilities—building both confidence and livelihood opportunities—while promoting sustainable cultural practices.

EduConnect

Launch of New History Textbook for Class 9

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Porvorim, Goa:
Goa is not only known for its beaches, but also for its many historically significant and culturally rich heritage sites. Teachers should take students on field visits to such sites and guide them about Goa’s traditions and heritage, said Bhagirath Shetye, Chairman of the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, during a workshop held for secondary-level teachers in Porvorim.

On this occasion, the new Class 9 history textbook was officially launched by Chairman Bhagirath Shetye. Present at the event were Jyoti Chiplunkar, Datta Parab, Manisha Prabhu Desai, and Bonita Rodrigues, along with other dignitaries.

Teachers who contributed to the development of the new textbook were felicitated during the ceremony. They included:
Bonita Rodrigues, Jyoti Chiplunkar, Manisha Prabhu Desai, Datta Parab, Aditya Watwe, Archana Pednekar, Sandeep Patil, Tiyaf Silveria, and Alvita D’Souza.

Guidance sessions for teachers were conducted by Datta Parab, Sandeep Patil, Aditya Watwe, Archana Pednekar, and Tiyaf Silveria.

The event was hosted by Jyoti Chiplunkar, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Manisha Prabhu Desai. Bonita Rodrigues coordinated the overall workshop.