Over the past decade, at least 300 government primary schools have closed in Goa, as parents increasingly prefer nearby privately-managed aided schools. This shift has led to a significant decline in Konkani medium education, with only 8.8% of primary school enrollment now studying in the state's official language.
Konkani medium enrollment drops to 7,869 students
According to the directorate of education's annual statistical publication for 2025-26, out of 88,800 students from Class I to IV in Goa, only 7,869 are studying in Konkani. The rural talukas of Sanguem and Pernem have no Konkani medium schools operating at present.
English and Marathi dominate primary education
More than half of primary school enrollment (49,630 students, 55.8%) is in English medium. Marathi medium accounts for 29,404 students (33.1%). The remaining 4% includes Urdu (1,074), Kannada (435), Hindi (379), and Telugu (9) students. Only one Telugu medium school exists, in Tiswadi. Malayalam medium schools have shut down entirely.
Government-run Konkani medium schools are now limited to four talukas: Salcete (545 students), Tiswadi (90), Mormugao (78), and Dharbandora (12). The highest Konkani enrollment across all school types is in Salcete (2,593), followed by Tiswadi (1,315) and Bardez (839).
Shift from government to private management
Previously, most Konkani schools were government-run. Now, privately-managed aided and unaided schools are keeping Konkani education alive. These schools were established after 2012, when Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar relaxed norms to encourage more Konkani and Marathi medium primary schools.
Until 2012, the state government maintained a strict policy of supporting mother-tongue primary education, mainly in Konkani and Marathi, but also other Indian languages for migrant children. However, a loophole in a 2012 education department circular allowed around 20 aided schools to switch to English medium. After protests, the government continued aid to these schools. Many Konkani medium schools then shifted to English. Subsequently, the government offered relaxation to private organizations to set up Konkani and Marathi schools.
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