PANAJI
The State government is contemplating introducing National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at preparatory stage Grade III from the coming academic year 2025-26. The decision in this regard is expected on Monday.
The Directorate of Education has already announced implementation of NEP for Class VI and X from the coming term, which is set to commence from April 1. There will be a total 1200 instructional hours in a year.
Director for State Council for Education, Research and Training (SCERT) Meghana Shetgaonkar confirmed that a meeting is scheduled on Monday to decide on whether to go ahead with the implementation of NEP at the preparatory stage Grade III.
In the current term, NEP recommendations were implemented for class IX and foundation stage two -- second year of preschool at age 4 -- while last year, the implementation began for foundational stage one (entry stage of preschool at age 3).
Shetgaonkar said that from the academic year 2026-27, the State will introduce NEP for Class VII and Class VIII.
Goa plans to complete the implementation of the NEP for all classes from preschool to Class XII by 2027-28 thus leading in the country with the first State to have implemented NEP in toto. Post academic, the State will take up physical restructuring of the schools as per requirement which may include relocating, upgrading or collocating in the school complexes.
The government has also announced earlier that the NEP for children with special needs would be introduced from the academic year 2025-26.
Currently, semester pattern of two examinations is being followed for Class IX and same will be implemented for the students of Class VI; however, the students of grade X will follow the annual Board examination pattern.
While Grade VI student will have nine subjects with new textbooks to be introduced in all the curricular areas, the Class X and IX will continue with ten subjects.
