In a significant boost for tech education, the Goa government has decided to prolong its flagship Coding And Robotics Education in Schools (Cares) initiative. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced a three-year extension for the scheme following a high-level review meeting in Panaji.
Expanding Reach with Centres of Excellence
The extension is not the only development. The state plans to establish dedicated Centres of Excellence (CoE) and Whiz Kid Learning Spaces, starting with one in each district. This move aligns with announcements made in the Goa Budget for 2025. An official call for expressions of interest to set up these advanced hubs will be issued soon.
The decision stems from positive feedback. CM Sawant cited the Centre's PARAKH 2024 report, which noted a measurable positive impact on maths and science learning outcomes among students since the scheme's introduction.
A Look at the Scheme's Journey and Impact
The Cares scheme has been a transformative project for Goa's school curriculum. It integrated robotics and coding into the syllabus for students from Class VI to VIII across 435 government and aided schools, reaching approximately 65,000 young minds.
The program evolved in the 2022-23 academic year with the introduction of an advanced elective curriculum. This after-school option catered to students displaying exceptional interest and talent. By 2025-26, this elective was rolled out in 206 lead schools, engaging over 17,000 dedicated students.
Institutionalizing and Showcasing Innovation
To ensure the scheme's sustainability and growth, the review meeting made a crucial administrative decision. The Project Management Unit (PMU) for Cares will be incorporated as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under government corporations. This structure will empower the PMU to commercialize the innovative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) ed-tech solutions it has developed for Goan students.
Further supporting the project's human resources, CM Sawant approved a one-year extension for the contracts of Teach for Goa fellows, the training officer, and the R&D officer. A separate one-year contract was also sanctioned for the maintenance of ICT laboratories, including the Single Board Computers and Wi-Fi routers provided to schools under the Cares scheme.
To celebrate and foster the culture of innovation, the state will organize a 'Cares Goa – Open Tech Day'. This event will function as a tech expo and hackathon, designed to showcase student talent, ingenuity, and the practical solutions they have developed.
