CM’s claims of 100% Literacy in Goa misleading: Dr. Khalap
MAPUSA: Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress (GPMC) has criticised Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for making misleading claims of Goa attaining 100% literacy.
GPMC President Dr. Pratiskha Khalap said that literacy and education go hand in hand, and on the contrary, the current state of education in Goa has been deteriorating in recent years with several government schools shutting down.
“Over the past decade, Goa has witnessed a significant decline in the number of government primary schools due to consistently low student enrollment. Since 2014, approximately 212 government elementary schools have been closed or merged. This trend has reduced the total number of government schools from 906 in 2014–15 to 694 by the 2024–25 academic year,” she said.
Dr. Khalap highlighted figures to back her claim. In 2020–21, 11 government schools closed, 8 schools shut down in 2021–22, while in 2022–23, 11 schools were discontinued, and in 2023–24, 14 schools had to wind up.
Additionally, for the 2024–25 academic year, 35 more government primary schools have been identified with zero enrollment and are at risk of closure, she said.
Many schools have fewer than five students, making them unsustainable, while the presence of private schools nearby has drawn students away from government institutions.
“Ironically, the chief minister claims 100% literacy, which is laughable. However, an analysis and introspection should be done of the quality of education that affects our children. Many people don’t want to send their children to government schools. Parents often prefer private schools, believing they offer better facilities and education quality,” she said.
“In response to this trend, has the Goa government taken steps to address the issue? The chief minister has stated that only schools with zero enrollment are being closed, and efforts are being made to improve those with low student numbers. The government has also halted permissions for new private schools to prevent further decline in government school enrollments,” she said.
Despite these efforts, the declining trend in government school numbers highlights the challenges faced in maintaining public education institutions in the state.
Dr. Khalap said that the primary reasons for these closures include teachers’ appointment, where recently, the association of managements of schools had raised the issue of hiring of teachers.
“Many teachers are employed on a temporary basis. If there are 10 permanent posts, then 2 are made permanent and 8 are temporary. Hence, teachers’ commitment comes into question as they are busy planning and securing their future. There is politicisation of these posts and this has entered educational institutions. This should not happen,” she said.
Another issue is the Bal Rath scheme, she said.
“It is a good scheme, but there is no follow up. What about the maintenance? A majority of these buses are on the verge of being scrapped and new buses are needed. There should be a committee formed to check which buses are functioning or not. There is no timely payout of grants and payments to schools. There are expenses towards fuel and salaries of drivers and conductors which the schools don’t get on time. The CM should make statements with a lot of caution because it can be misleading,” Dr. Khalap said.
The GPMC President also said that there is a migrant influx from the neighbouring states into Goa due to the rampant construction which has hampered the quality of living.
“Education should be an important focus of the government. The CM is the education minister but he has completely ignored the education sector. Rather, the focus is on mega projects, contracts, land deals, scams and events. I urge the government to form a team that will audit these government schools, why these are shutting down, which ones are shut down, etc, and how these can be improved and revived so that children can return,” she said.
“There are many dropouts of students. When our government schools will be successful, then every poor family will be able to send their children to these schools who cannot send them to big schools. Many parents are struggling to send their kids as they take loans to admit them in big schools. If the new education policy has to be successfully implemented, then a team of good teachers is necessary. In a recent teacher eligibility test, many have failed miserably. So where is the quality of education,” he emphasised.
She also raised the issue of employment generation for Goans.
“How many Goans are employed at Mopa airport? How many have undergone skill development? Our Goans have got housekeeping and clerical jobs at the airport, and not top posts. Which industries have been brought to Goa to employ locals? she asked.
Deepa Dhupdale, Vice-President of the Mapusa Mahila Congress and Liberata Madeira, GPMC General Secretary were also present.
