Public Schools Enrollment Declines In Goa; 57% Of Primary Schools Have Less Than 5 Students (Photo Pixabay)

Presenting a trend of declining preference for government schools for education in Goa, another forty-two government primary schools are reportedly planning to shut down due to reduced enrollment.

The enrollment rate in government schools in the state is dipping significantly. There are around 400 (57%) institutions with five or fewer students enrolled from Class 1 to IV. It is reported that the schools that are on the verge of closure are those with zero enrollment for the academic year.

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The tendency of people to enroll their children in private over public schools is not limited to Goa, as around 50% of students in India have chosen private schools, while the government schools’ enrolment has come down to 52.2% in 2017 from 74.1% in 1978, according to a 2020 report.

Goa chief minister, Pramod Sawant, who also handles the education department, on Monday, presented the state public schools’ plight in the assembly on Monday. The data shows that four more public schools have been closed since last year. It also revealed that more than 10,096 students are studying in government-aided privately-managed schools, while only 4,044 students are enrolled in 694 government primary schools in Goa, showing a double-digit difference and an increased preference for privately-run schools.

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It is generally believed that parents doubt the quality of government schools, including the system, process, and approach. With the freedom to follow different curriculum and teaching-learning methodologies, private schools are getting an edge over public schools.

However, while tabling the data, chief minister Pramod Sawant said that the government has appointed more qualified teachers and increased the infrastructure in the public schools. It is also providing training to teachers, the chief minister said, as a measure to address the declining enrollment in public schools.