No decision yet on resumption of schools in Goa: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant

The Goa government has still not taken a call on resumption of schools in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Thursday, adding that the state would arrive at a concrete solution soon.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an official ceremony to mark Goa Revolution Day, Sawant also said, that popular opposition to setting up of mobile telephony towers had resulted in poor mobile network connections in several pockets in the state, which was deterring the Goa government's efforts to promote online education.

"The pandemic has spread throughout the country and the state as well. In Goa too, cases have seen an increase in a big way. In view of this, we have not taken a call on when to start schools," said the Chief Minister, who also holds the Education Ministry portfolio.

"In some parts of Goa, in some aided and unaided schools, online education facilities have been started. We have to ensure that the rest of the students do not face a syllabus loss. We are more concerned about students in Class X and Class XII," Sawant said, adding that a "concrete solution would be found soon in some days".

He said, that there are still some pockets in the state, where online education, via internet, may not be feasible, because of poor connectivity.

"There will be complaints about online education, because we need to create the infrastructure needed for it. People are the cause for this. There has been opposition to setting up of mobile towers, which would have enhanced internet penetration," the Chief Minister said on the sidelines of the Goa Revolution day event.

Goa Revolution Day is celebrated on June 18, to mark the anniversary of a speech by freedom fighter and socialist leader Dr Ram Manohar Lohia in south Goa's Margao town, urging revolution against the colonial Portuguese in 1946.

Sawant also said, that it is imperative to not forget the contribution of freedom fighters who contributed to the overthrow of the colonial yoke.