Online education: Teachers want academic overhaul

Students have suffered huge academic loss due to online learning, and examinations could not be held due to the second wave

As another year has begun in the online format, teachers are demanding an academic overhaul to suit current circumstances. According to educators, with no clarity about when schools are likely to reopen, or when things will be back to normal, the time has come to mould academics to ensure minimal loss for students. Starting from reduction in syllabus to different formats of evaluation, many also want the state board to follow the central board's example of dividing the academic year, especially for the board exam years - Stds X and XII.

It has been a challenging academic year amid the pandemic with the board examination years (SSC and HSC) majorly hit. Already students have suffered huge academic loss due to online learning, and examinations could not be held due to the second wave. While the results of these exams are still awaited; educators, especially those from state board schools, have stressed the need for change. The most prominent demand is the reduction of the syllabus, at least for board exams. It was reduced by 25 per cent last academic year. Many have also talked about the importance of bringing in new ways of evaluation in order to avoid a similar fiasco in future.

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‘Teachers learning on the job'

"Students must be feeling stuck in this stage of their lives for over a year now, as they began studying for the board exam in April last year, as per the regular practice. Generally, by now, the results would have been declared. But without exams, the result process has become time-consuming as even teachers are learning on the job. Now as we have begun a new academic year, we need to be ready for all situations, so that this year's batch does not suffer," said a teacher from a school in Andheri.

Elaborating on this, Jaywant Kulkarni, from a school in Kurla said, "The CBSE has divided the board exam years into two terms. The state board can also look at this option so that students get to show their calibre. We must think about ways to deal with the pandemic. The education sector is as important as businesses."

According to educators, many children wait for the board examination years to sincerely study and perform well. But the pandemic robbed them of the opportunity this year and the result is mostly going to be based on their old performances.

"Two exams will offer this opportunity to students. At the same time, the state board should clarify on the syllabus to study this year. Last year, it was reduced by 25 per cent. This year, too, it will be required as in most schools, Bridge Courses - where teachers help students learn important concepts that they have missed from the last academic year - are currently running. After this, the new curriculum will begin. In addition, instead of just focusing on one exam, there should be guidelines on continuous evaluation for the board exam years so that students get to show their potential. This has to be decided by the board as it requires uniformity," said Pandurang Kengar, secretary of the Mumbai School Principals' Association.