Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday chaired the sixth meeting of the Empowered Committee of the Coding and Robotics Education in Schools (CARES) scheme, during which the government reviewed the programme’s progress and approved several measures to strengthen technology-driven education in Goa.
The committee approved a three-year extension of the CARES scheme under the Directorate of Technical Education. It also cleared the incorporation of PMU–CARES as a Special Purpose Vehicle under government corporations to commercialise innovative STEAM-based ed-tech solutions.
Among other decisions, a one-year extension was granted to Teach for Goa Fellows, the Training Officer, and the Research and Development Officer associated with the scheme. The committee also approved a one-year annual maintenance contract for ICT laboratories, including Single Board Computers and Wi-Fi routers supplied under CARES.
Approval was given to float an Expression of Interest for establishing Centres of Excellence and Whiz Kid Learning Spaces, initially one in each district, in line with the Goa Budget 2025 announcement. The committee further decided to organise “CARES Goa – Open Tech Day”, a technology expo and hackathon aimed at showcasing innovation, talent, and student-led solutions.
The Chief Minister said the Empowered Committee acknowledged measurable improvements in Mathematics and Science learning outcomes under CARES, as reflected in the PARAKH 2024 report. He added that 54 CARES-mentored students featured in the Top 100 of the BEBRAS International Computational Thinking Challenge 2025, selected from over five lakh students nationwide.
Sawant also noted that PMU–CARES has received national recognition, including the SKOCH Gold Award and the Best Entry Award, and said the scheme continues to position Goa at the forefront of future-ready education, innovation, and global competitiveness.
