Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: In a significant step towards educational reform, the Goa state government has announced the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for Grades 6 and 10 starting from the academic year 2025-2026.
This initiative, part of a broader restructuring of the education system, aims to align school education with the new policy framework introduced in July 2020.
The Directorate of Education has issued detailed instructions to academic institutions to ensure a smooth transition.
The NEP 2020 reorganizes school education into four stages: the Foundational Stage (ages 3-8, covering Balvatika to Grade 2), the Preparatory Stage (ages 8-11, Grade 3 to Grade 5), the Middle Stage (ages 11-14, Grade 6 to Grade 8), and the Secondary Stage (ages 14-18, Grade 9 to Grade 12).
Goa has already made strides in implementing NEP 2020, having introduced it at the Foundational Stage (Balvatika 1) in the 2023-2024 academic year and at Balvatika 2 and Grade 9 in the 2024-2025 academic year. For the upcoming academic year, new textbooks will be introduced for Grade 6 across all curricular areas, while existing textbooks will continue to be used for Grades 9 and 10.
Each class period will be 40 minutes long, with schools required to maintain a minimum of five-and-a-half instructional hours per day, excluding assembly and recess. According to the circular issued by Director of Education Shailesh R Sinai Zingde, school assemblies may be incorporated as part of remedial teaching, and school timings will be decided in consultation with all stakeholders.
This implementation is part of a comprehensive effort to enhance the quality and accessibility of education in Goa, aligning with the national goals set by NEP 2020.
