Goa advances new school session from June to April

“The classes will be conducted for the above grades in the month of April up to 11.30 am. The students will have summer vacation from May 1, 2025 to June 3, 2025. The schools will follow regular timings from June 4 onwards,” the circular said.

Earlier, the academic year started in June, which coincided with the onset of monsoon.

Prasad Lolayekar, Secretary (Education), said: “The only reason we are holding classes in April now is because the other central boards like CBSE, ICSE…all begin the academic year from April. Maharashtra, Mizoram have already started shifting their academic year to the first of April and other states will follow suit”.

“April was one month during which the school exams used to end, but no academic work used to be done. What we have said is that when classes start in April, they have to be held till 11.30 am only. This is because of Goa’s conditions. It gets very hot at that time and it is only for Classes 6 onwards. This is because the National Education Policy (NEP) workload for primary school is not as much. But for the middle stage and the secondary stage, if we are to complete the required number of hours, and if we hold classes in April, a lot of the issues will be resolved,” he said.

Currently the first term is longer than the second term, he said.

“So, there is an imbalance. Both terms will now be balanced. Secondly, we would not have to change the school timings. In a lot of schools, in the morning there is high school and in the afternoon there is higher secondary school, so we cannot extend it beyond 1.45 pm. So, if we include April, we won’t have to change school timings,” he said.

He said April is an ‘unproductive’ month from the point of view of students. “So, if there are central government schemes, for instance the mid-day meal which comes with a mandatory requirement…which we are currently unable to fulfill. We will be able to fulfill it if we have classes in April. Besides since we are holding classes only till 11.30 am, there is no question of the heat wave affecting students,” he added.

Earlier last week, members of All Goa Secondary School Teachers Association wrote to the directorate of education, opposing the proposed change. In a letter to the education department, Savio Suraj Victoria, president of the association, said: “April is one of the hottest months in Goa, with high temperatures and humidity creating extremely uncomfortable and unhealthy conditions for students and teachers. Most schools lack proper cooling facilities, increasing the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and reduced concentration in classrooms. Starting the academic year in April will leave teachers insufficient time to complete crucial post- academic year tasks. This rushed transition will compromise the quality of academic and co-curricular sessions”.

Both students and teachers are accustomed to the traditional June start, aligned with Goa’s climatic and cultural conditions, the letter said.

“A sudden change will disrupt their mental and physical readiness, leading to unnecessary stress and confusion,” it said.