Goa schools to be allowed to opt for new timings, says CM

Panaji,(PTI): The Goa government announced here today that schools would be allowed to opt for new timings mid-academic year, if they chose to do so, in an attempt to encourage the full-day school concept.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters today that schools which want to convert themselves into full day schools with five-and-a-half instructional hours per day will be allowed to do so, if they have proper infrastructure.

Schools which opt for six-and-a-half instructional hours per day could function between Monday to Friday, with Saturday and Sunday as off days, Parrikar said.

Schools must have at least 200 days of school and 1,100 hours of instruction annually, he said. The Goa government would issue a circular to all schools in this regard within three days, he said, adding that the education department would grant permission within seven days.

However, full day schools would be allowed only if such institutions have proper infrastructure, he said. Parrikar said that the Goa government had already announced a scheme providing a grant of Rs 3.5 crore to institutions which intend to enhance their facilities.

Speaking about parents' objections to five-and-a-half hours of schooling every day, Parrikar said that institutions which find it difficult to conduct classes for the stipulated time could be given exemption or relaxation on a case-to-case basis, provided parents-teachers associations and managements demand the same.

He clarified that this exemption would be extended only for the current academic year, considering difficulties faced by schools.