log on to thegoan.net @thegoanonline SATURDAY OCTOBER 26, 2024 Facebook.com/thegoan The Goan E-Paper (Playstore/IOS) 17pages PRICE ` 10 PANAJI MARGAO GOA VOLUME X, NO. 129 Instagram.com/thegoanonline RNI: GOAENG/2015/65729 New academic calendar for schools likely from next yr APRIL TO MARCH TERM ON CARDS ONE-MONTH SUMMER HOLIDAYS TO CONTINUE GOA BOARD TO ALIGN WITH CBSE SHWETA KAMAT MAHATME THE GOAN I PANAJI page 8 & 9 Colva Fama celebrated with fervour in UK Twin mission to promote reading, environment State board schools in Goa are set to undergo a significant change in their academic calendar, shifting from the current June to April schedule to April to March academic term. While the implementation dates for this change -- either the 2025-26 or 2026-27 academic year -- is yet to be determined, the government will take into consideration all the stakeholders before going ahead. Also, in the first phase, the government intends to implement the calendar change for secondary and higher secondary schools, with classes for the new academic year to be conducted from April 1 on- THE PROPOSED TRANSITION April 1 to March 31 academic term New academic year to commence from April 1 Classes to be conducted till 11.30 am in April Academic term to continue post summer holidays -- May 1 to June 4 or till first week Secondary & Higher Secondary schools to adopt change in first phase wards, only till 11.30am, considering the summer weather. Speaking to The Goan, Secretary Education IAS Prasad Lolayekar said that this new adjustment will align the state board schools with the Central Board of Secondary Edu- cation (CBSE) calendar, where the academic year commences on April 1 and concludes on March 31, with summer holidays scheduled from May 1 to June 4 (or till first week of June). Lolayekar explained that the transition to align with National Education Policy (NEP) is expected to facilitate timely completion of the curriculum. “There is no final decision yet. The proposal has been worked out and is under consideration of the government. Before taking any decision, the stakeholders will be taken into confidence …their views will be heard,” he said. While maintaining that one-month summer holidays will continue like before from May to June, Lolayekar said that it is still not clear whether new adjustments would be adopted from next term or later. “As per academic term, followed till now, the summer holidays were always from May to June. In April, schools were never closed; only students were not called as the month was categorized under non-instructional days. We have now decided to utilize this month and start the new academic term and continue post the first week of June. We will get more instructional days to complete the syllabus,” he explained. “If you see, schools are open and teachers come to schools in April,” he added. Lolayekar said that considering the weather phenomenon in April, classes will be held from 8 am to 11.30 am and from June, the regular school hours will commence. “Many States like Maharashtra have also adopted a >Continued on P6 APAAR unique ID not mandatory, clarifies Edu dept THE GOAN I NETWORK PANAJI As the State rolls out registration of a lifelong 12-digit Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR ID) for all school-enrolled students, the Education department on Friday clarified that opting for unique ID is not mandatory but advisable for streamlining academic records. APAAR ID is a part of the ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ program aligning with the New Education Policy 2020. In Goa, so far, 7800 students have enrolled for APAAR ID. Speaking to media persons, Director Education Shailesh Zingade said that the new initiative aims to streamline academic records, track student progress and support students’ educational journeys. “The ID will be a lifelong one allotted to the student. It is expected to make it easier LIFELONG EDUCATION ID New initiative aims to streamline academic records, track student progress and support students’ educational journeys ID is lifelong and will make it easier to track a child’s educational progress It will help in transfer of credits if and when a student changes institutions within the state or country to track a child’s educational progress and also help in transfer of credits if and when a student changes institutions within the state or across the country,” he said. >Continued on P6
The new Goa, with a broader profile of people from different parts of India and the world, needs not just a strong local paper but a complete paper. The Goan on Saturday will connect to and be a viable and comprehensive read for locals, other Indians in Goa, NRI and foreigners. It will also be a bridge for Goans in other parts of India all over the world to their home land. The Goan is published by Goa's most reputed industrial houses.