Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, May 18: A strong response has been recorded for government primary school teacher recruitment in Goa, with an average of about five applicants competing for each vacancy, according to data from the Goa Staff Selection Commission (SSC).
The commission has received over 2,063 applications for 390 advertised posts, including positions for Konkani and Marathi language teachers. Of these, 1,626 applications were for Marathi teacher posts, while 437 were for Konkani teacher vacancies.
The recruitment drive comes at a time when the state government is grappling with declining enrolment in government-run primary schools, a trend linked to shifting parental preference toward private education institutions.
According to the latest Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) 2024–25 report, enrolment in private unaided schools has, for the first time, surpassed that of government schools in Goa. Private unaided institutions now account for 41,146 students, compared to 35,974 students in government schools.
Despite having a significantly larger network of 773 government schools across primary to higher secondary levels, compared to just 141 private unaided schools, government institutions are seeing lower student strength.
By contrast, aided private schools continue to dominate in overall enrolment, with more than 2.18 lakh students studying in 558 such institutions. However, data also indicates a gradual migration of students from aided to unaided schools, many of which follow CBSE and ICSE curricula.
Central government-run institutions such as Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas also contribute to the state’s education system, though their enrolment remains comparatively small.
Officials noted that most private unaided schools in Goa are primary-level institutions, reflecting strong demand at the foundational education stage.
Comparative UDISE data from 2023–24 also shows a steady rise in private school enrolment alongside a gradual decline in government-aided school numbers, reinforcing concerns about a long-term shift in schooling preferences.
At a recent Teachers’ Day event, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant urged parents to consider government and aided schools, stating that many of them offer strong infrastructure and well-trained teaching staff comparable to private institutions.
The latest recruitment interest, combined with changing enrolment patterns, highlights both demand for government teaching jobs and evolving preferences in the state’s education landscape.