An initiative set to empower 20,000 students with advanced STEM education
In a significant step towards enhancing STEM education, the Government of Goa has announced the inclusion of 200 ‘Lead Schools’ for the 2025-26 academic year, offering an advanced curriculum in robotics and coding to over 20,000 students across the state. This initiative Coding And Robotics Education in Schools (CARES) Scheme , aims to provide specialized learning for students with a special interest and talent in the fields of coding and robotics. The Elective Curriculum enrollment for the 2025-26 academic year has already begun.
The new robotics and coding syllabus reached the government and aided schools for Classes VI to VIII. In the years following, the program has seen rapid growth. In 2022-23, nearly 3,000 students enrolled in the advanced curriculum as an elective subject at 60 Lead Schools and by 2023-24, that number rose to 7,700. This academic year, the enrollment has surged to 11,000 students, signaling a strong demand for this innovative approach to education.
As part of the program, students will continue to study coding and robotics after school hours, once a week. To ensure high-quality instruction, the state has recruited engineering graduates and professionals as “Teach for Goa -Fellows”, who will assist in delivering the advanced syllabus.To facilitate the curriculum delivery, the ICT labs in these schools have been upgraded with Robotic hardware kits and the “Teach for Goa” fellows will lead the sessions.
The curriculum, which has been developed, is designed to give students practical skills in coding and robotics, which have a wide range of applications in today’s technology-driven world. The Lead Schools, equipped with state-of-the-art robotics labs, are located in various talukas, ensuring that the program is accessible to students across Goa.
This initiative not only boosts the state’s educational framework but also prepares students for the growing demand for skilled professionals in technology-related fields. The opportunities in coding and robotics are vast and this curriculum will open doors for students from all walks of life.
The CARES scheme, implemented by the Directorate of Technical Education, is set to transform Goa’s educational landscape, fostering the next generation of engineers, coders and innovators. With the addition of more Lead Schools and the growing enthusiasm from students, the future looks promising for Goa’s young talent in the fields of coding and robotics.
