Education System in GOA :
Goa enjoys a place of pride in the country as one of the most literate states of India. It was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961 and has registered an impressive progress in the field of education since then. The State has achieved 82% literacy by 2001 and hopes to be 100% literate by 2011.
The Government of Goa considers education as the foundation for human development and a source of cultivation of traits or responsible citizenship. In keeping with the Directive Principles incorporated in the Constitution, it has worked toward the objective of universalisation of education, and has almost achieved its target at the elementary school stage. The growing demand for education at the secondary and higher secondary levels have also been met to a large extent.
In view of the above, the main emphasis in the Tenth Plan period is on:-
• Upgradation and qualitative improvement of education.
• Orientation of teachers to keep them abreast with modern techniques in the teaching-learning situation.
• Vocationalisation of Education / Computer Education.
• Strengthening of administrative machinery for effective implementation of policies.
• Upgradation and qualitative improvement of education.
• Orientation of teachers to keep them abreast with modern techniques in the teaching-learning situation.
• Vocationalisation of Education / Computer Education.
• Strengthening of administrative machinery for effective implementation of policies.
The education system in Goa is effectively streamlined in keeping with the National Policy on Education, 1986 as modified in 1992, to upgrade the quality of education at all levels. The state has already enacted the Compulsory Education Act (1995) and has enforced it from 5-9-1996 to ensure that no child in the age group of 6-14 years remains out of school.
Though the state of Goa has recorded 82.01 per cent literacy and a high attainment level, the need of the hour is to reinforce its educational policy towards bridging regional and gender gaps, reducing the drop-out rate, emphasizing skill development and vocational programmes to curb unemployment, improving quality of education, infrastructure development in schools, orientation of teachers, computer integrated education and upgradation of libraries.
Organisational Set-up
The directorate of education deals with the organization, development and regulation of School Education in the State of Goa under the provisions of the Goa, Daman & Diu School Education Act, 1984 and rules made thereunder. The educational structure of the state consists of pre-primary, primary, middle, secondary and higher secondary education.
Directorate Level
The headquarters of the Directorate of Education are located at Panaji, Goa. It is headed by Director of Education who is Ex-officio Joint Secretary (Education) and is assisted by Director (Administration), Joint Director of Accounts, three Deputy Directors of Education for Academic, Adult and Vocational Sections, six Assistant Directors of Education, Vocational Education Officer and Environmental Education Officer, all persons holding Class 1 posts.
District Level
Goa has two districts viz. North Goa and South Goa. For educational purposes the State has, however, been divided into three educational zones each comprising of three to four talukas / blocks. The headquarters of these zonal offices are (a) at Panaji for the Central Zone covering Tiswadi, Ponda and Sanguem talukas / blocks; (b) at Margao for the South Zone covering Canacona, Quepem, Salcete and Mormugao talukas / blocks; and (c) at Mapusa for the North Zone covering Pernem, Bardez, Bicholim and Sattari talukas / blocks. Each zonal office is headed by a Deputy Director of Education. He is assisted by an Assistant Director of Education and a Deputy Education Officer who looks after academic matters