Majority of students embrace April school start, says Education Secretary

On the first day of the revised academic year, Education Secretary Prasad Lolayekar toured several schools in Tiswadi taluka to assess the response to Goa's decision to shift the school reopening date from June to April.

Lolayekar reported encouraging feedback, with over 90% student attendance and 80% expressing satisfaction with the change.

“We visited five schools today. Most recorded over 90% attendance, with only one slightly above 80%. When I interacted with the students, 80% said they were happy to return to school in April,” said Lolayekar, adding that only around 20% expressed a preference for holidays in April.

The secretary also gathered student feedback on the National Education Policy (NEP), with many voicing a need for improved sports training infrastructure — an issue he said the department would address.

Responding to ongoing protests against the April reopening, Lolayekar questioned their legitimacy. “Parents opposing the decision had approached the High Court, which dismissed their petition after considering every argument. The protest seems to be driven by coaching class lobbies. While we cannot confirm this definitively, the pattern suggests as much,” he said. “They have the right to protest, but holding the broader education system hostage is unfair.”

Meanwhile, the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Chairman Bhagirath Shetye visited schools in Bardez taluka and interacted with students to further gauge reactions to the new schedule.