Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Sep 6: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday voiced concern over the rising preference for English-medium unaided schools in Goa, cautioning parents about the quality of education in such institutes. He said many teachers there are “neither qualified nor properly trained.”

Speaking at the 63rd Teachers’ Day celebration at Kala Academy, Sawant appealed to parents to consider government-run Marathi and Konkani schools, stressing that education in the mother tongue can offer equally strong career opportunities.

“They may be fluent in English, but I don’t think they are well qualified or trained,” Sawant said, adding that government and aided schools have better infrastructure and trained English teachers who are constantly upgraded to meet new educational needs.

He pointed to Union Education Ministry figures showing that 141 unaided schools now have more students than over 700 government and aided schools in the state. “Compared to unaided schools, our government schools provide the best facilities and well-trained teachers. Experts also agree that primary education in one’s mother tongue ensures a clear foundation for future goals,” he stressed.

The CM also announced that no school in Goa will function with a single teacher from this academic year. Currently, around 70 schools operate with one teacher.

On the occasion, Sawant presented the CM-Vashistha Guru Puraskar 2023–24 to ten educators for excellence in teaching. The awardees included teachers from Sanquelim, Dharbandora, Bicholim, Pernem, Ponda, Marcaim, Mapusa, Navelim, Vasco and Margao.

Sawant praised the winners for their selfless service, saying they worked not for awards but for shaping the future of children.