Goa Chief Minister Holds Teachers Accountable for Graduate Unemployment
Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday launched a sharp critique of the education system, directly blaming teachers for the rising unemployment among youths holding dual degrees. His remarks came during the inauguration of the Rs 8 crore 'Ahilya' girls hostel block at the Government College complex in Khandola.
Investment in Infrastructure vs. Outcomes
Sawant emphasized that while the state is making substantial investments in education infrastructure, the true measure of success lies in student achievements. "The government is investing heavily, but the returns should be visible through students cracking competitive exams, excelling in national sports, or becoming entrepreneurs," he stated.
He expressed frustration over the current scenario where students complete traditional degrees like BA, BCom, and BSc only to remain jobless at home. "They proudly say they are double graduates, yet they wait for jobs to come to them. I question what the teachers were doing all this time. Is teaching merely about delivering textbook content?" Sawant asked pointedly.
Call for Beyond-the-Book Teaching
The Chief Minister highlighted the threat of technological disruption, citing an example of AI-based individual tutoring that could render traditional classroom teaching obsolete. "Unless teachers innovate and go beyond textbooks, such advancements will make their roles redundant," he warned.
He clarified that the government's appointment of numerous teachers includes expectations for them to counsel students and foster self-employment. "As education minister and now CM for seven years, I've observed a gap in guiding students post-graduation. A teacher's duty isn't just to produce graduates; it's to orient them toward sustainable careers," Sawant asserted.
Practical Solutions and Accountability
Sawant proposed a simple yet impactful solution: if each teacher takes responsibility for mentoring 10 students, the state's unemployment issue could be significantly alleviated. He shifted the focus from institutional accolades to student outcomes, saying, "I don't want to hear about A+ NAAC accreditation. I want to hear that your student won national badminton accolades or cracked the UPSC exam."
Ahilya Hostel and Broader Initiatives
The newly inaugurated Ahilya hostel block, with a capacity for 56 female students, aims to support girls from rural areas. Sawant detailed that similar facilities are being developed across Goa's government colleges, from Quepem to Sakhali, with assistance from the Government of India. "Two hostels are completed, and a third will be finished soon," he added, underscoring the commitment to enhancing educational access.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to bridge educational disparities and empower students, particularly women, from underserved regions.
