Goa has rolled out National Education Policy (NEP)-aligned textbooks for all classes from I to VIII for the academic year 2026-27, incorporating greater local content to help students connect with the state's heritage, geography and cultural traditions.
According to State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Director Meghana Shetgaonkar, the revised textbooks include Goa-specific content in social science lessons, with a focus on the state's unique cultural and environmental identity.
As part of the initiative, primary school students will be introduced to Kaavi, Goa's only indigenous painting style, along with lessons on the state's rivers, folk arts and other aspects of local heritage. The inclusion of regional content aims to make learning more relevant and engaging while fostering awareness of Goa's rich cultural legacy from an early age.
The state has also constituted committees to review and update Konkani and Marathi language textbooks. These panels have been tasked with incorporating suitable local content to ensure that language education reflects Goa's social and cultural context.
Officials said the textbook revision is in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy, which emphasizes experiential learning, regional relevance and the promotion of local knowledge systems. The updated curriculum is expected to provide students with a stronger understanding of their surroundings while preserving and promoting Goa's unique traditions and cultural identity.
