Nagpur: Traditionally the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools are starting a new academic session in April to give the students a head start before resuming in June again. But this extended forced Covid holiday and online teaching platform availability mean there will be ‘normal’ classes till June or whenever schools open next.
Most educators claim this would lead to better awareness of the course and/or quality teaching. This would be a big boost for those heading into Std X and XII.
Anmol Badjatia, Jain International School’s principal, said, “Because of the extended time in hand we may cover slightly more of the curriculum than a typical year. As part of the teaching, we use WhatsApp videos and assignments online. Students are sent one video topic each day, with a fixed time slot reserved for queries. “Ritu Sharma, head of Delhi Public School (Kamptee Road), said,” We have daily online classes and I continue to enter all the sections to see what’s going on. We also had kids make a fun concert song video, even though they were just at home. “Apart from research, schools often keep kids involved by stimulating their imaginative side online. Bishop Cotton School-CBSE (BCS) urged students to send them pictures, videos and so on to build awareness of coronavirus. Selected content is posted to the Facebook page of the school.
BCS Principal Lillian Makasare said, “All these exercises are about getting the children aware of the virus. Typically we give them tasks such as painting, and yoga. Even in drawings, students depict items like how to wash hands, social distance, and precautions to be taken in the midst of the Covid pandemic. “Abha Meghe, head of the Meghe Schools Association, said,” Since children spend a long time at home, it’s important to make sure they’re engaged productively. In difficult times like these, it is equally important to look after students’ mental health as well and keep in mind that we have implemented few extra-curricular activities for them,” Meghe said.
