PANAJI
On an average, 17 government schools in Goa are either closed or merged every year in the last one decade, due to low enrolment.
Since 2014-15, almost 212 elementary schools have either been shut or merged with nearby schools, as per a policy decision taken by the State government.
What is more alarming is that until 2023-24, there were 789 government schools, the number that came down to 694 in the ongoing academic year indicating that almost 95 schools were either shut or merged during this period.
Sources reveal that the authorities have identified 35 more government primary schools with zero enrolment in the academic year 2024-25, which may face closure or merger in the coming year.
As per the data tabled in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister for State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, during this period that is from 2014-15 to 2024-25, only nine private schools were either shut or merged due to infrastructure issues.
Goa, which had 906 government schools in 2014-15, was left with 694 schools at the start of the academic year 2024-25.
In the ongoing academic term, the Education Department closed seven schools due to nil enrolment while there are close to 55 per cent government schools, of the total 694, where less than five students are studying in Class I to IV.
According to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the government schools are shutting down due to private schools located within its close proximity.
Sources revealed that in the last two years, close to 150 applications for new schools have been kept on hold or rejected by the government taking into account the feasibility report submitted by the education department and considering the worrying trend of declining number of government schools.
According to rules, there cannot be two primary schools within the radius of one to two kilometers while the three kms radius is for Secondary schools.
Chaudhary said that education is in the Concurrent list of the Constitution and the opening, closing and rationalisation of schools are within the purview of respective State Governments. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 provides children’s access to elementary schools within the defined area or limits of neighbourhood.
However, the Minister said that the central Government assist States through the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha, wherein financial assistance is also provided to the States for various activities to reduce dropout in government schools.
