PANAJI
In a significant change in the academic calendar, the upcoming academic year 2025-26 will commence from April 1 for students of Class VI to X and XII, instead of the prevailing practice of resuming classes in June post summer break.
This adjustment will align the State board schools with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) calendar, where the academic year commences in April and ends on March 31.
Moreover, for students up to Grade V, the classes will resume post summer vacation that is from June 4 onwards. The secondary and higher secondary students will have a month-long summer break from May 1 to June 3.
Considering the summer weather, in April the classes will be conducted up to 11.30 am. The Goan was the first to report about school boards undergoing major changes.
“Government of Goa has decided to commence the new Academic Year from April 1 from the academic year 2025-26 for the grades 6 to 10 and 12 for government, government aided and unaided recognized schools in the State,” Director Education Shailesh Zingade said in a circular issued to the Heads of the institutions.
Zingade said that the classes will be conducted for these grades in the month of April up to 11.30 am and that the students will have summer vacation from May 1 to June 3. “Schools will follow regular timings from June 4 onwards,” he said.
Educational institutions are directed to take appropriate action to commence the academic year from April 1 and that the students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders should be made aware about the changes.
This transition aligned with National Education Policy (NEP) is expected to facilitate timely completion of the curriculum.
The government decision is despite strong objection from the Secondary School Teachers Association as well as some PTAs.
Meanwhile, speaking to media persons about the development, Secretary Education Prasad Lolayekar said that commencing academic session in April will make the month academically productive for the student and also bring balance between the two terms.
“This will also help us fulfil the criteria of number of instructional days for the term, as mandated under the mid-day meal scheme,” he said while maintaining that the classes up to 5 was kept out of the change as there is no much burden of the curriculum under NEP.
Stating that the adjustments are in view of NEP, he said that school timings in Goa cannot be changed as most schools are utilising morning and evening sessions for different groups such as elementary, high school etc.
Lolayekar said irrespective of the commencement of the term, the festive holidays like that of Diwali, Chaturthi and Christmas would be as per the schedule.
The government will meet the headmasters on Friday to discuss the changes.
