Tag: SCERT Goa

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.

Human Interest

Goa Observes World Blood Donor Day with State-Level Event in Porvorim

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“Give Blood, Give Hope – Together We Save Lives” theme inspires awareness and gratitude

Porvorim, Goa | June 14, 2025 — Reinforcing the life-saving impact of voluntary blood donation, Goa observed World Blood Donor Day 2025 with a state-level function held at Porvorim, organised jointly by the Goa State Blood Transfusion Council (GSBTC) and the Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS).

Held under the global theme “Give Blood, Give Hope – Together We Save Lives”, the event brought together health officials, educators, volunteers, and donors to celebrate the spirit of giving and highlight the importance of safe and timely blood donation in saving lives.

🗣️ Leaders Applaud Lifesavers, Stress Awareness

The event was graced by a distinguished panel of guests and stakeholders from the health and education sectors, including:

  • Dr. Vandana Dhume, Project Director, GSACS
  • Shri Gaurish Dhond, Chairman, Indian Red Cross Society – Goa Chapter
  • Smt. Meghana Shetgaonkar, Director, SCERT
  • Dr. Uday Gaonkar, Principal, DEd College
  • Representatives from blood banks, NGOs, educational institutions, and donor groups

In her address, Dr. Vandana Dhume applauded Goa’s voluntary blood donors, especially the youth, for their life-saving contributions, and emphasized the need for continued awareness and participation.

“Every drop of donated blood carries the power to save a life. Let us build a culture where donation becomes second nature,” she said.

Shri Gaurish Dhond highlighted the long-standing role of the Red Cross in mobilizing donors and urged institutions to integrate blood donation drives into their yearly social responsibility activities.

🎖️ Donors Honoured, Youth Inspired

The program also featured:

  • Recognition of frequent and voluntary donors
  • Presentations on safe blood transfusion practices
  • Short films and testimonials from recipients and donors
  • A pledge ceremony encouraging first-time participants to become regular donors

Student representatives and educators from teacher training institutes participated actively, taking away both knowledge and inspiration to foster donation drives in their campuses.

“Today’s youth are tomorrow’s hope. If we cultivate giving early, we build a stronger, healthier society,” noted Dr. Uday Gaonkar.

🧬 The Message: Blood Donation is a Shared Responsibility

World Blood Donor Day serves as a global reminder that safe blood saves lives — during surgeries, childbirth, trauma, cancer treatment, and chronic conditions like thalassemia and hemophilia. Goa has consistently shown strong voluntary donor participation, but officials stressed the importance of ensuring year-round availability through regular drives.

The event also spotlighted how blood donation contributes to HIV/AIDS prevention, as each donation undergoes rigorous testing under GSACS protocols, thus ensuring both safe transfusion and early detection of infections.

🩷 Why It Matters:

  • One unit of blood can save up to 3 lives
  • Voluntary, non-remunerated donations are the safest and most sustainable
  • Regular donors help maintain stable blood supplies for emergencies

🏥 Organised by:

  • Goa State Blood Transfusion Council (GSBTC)
  • Goa State AIDS Control Society (GSACS)

With support from:

  • Indian Red Cross Society – Goa Chapter
  • SCERT Goa
  • Local educational and healthcare institutions