01 July,2021 07:33 AM IST | Mumbai | Pallavi Smart
Teachers said parents, too, have been worried about how much their students assimilated amid online studies and the pandemic. Representation pic
Why is there no bridge course at English medium schools? Teachers and parents have questioned the state's education department after it rolled out novel bridge courses for Stds II to VIII in Marathi and Urdu medium. The idea is to fill the gaps students might have in studies undertaken online in the previous academic year amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The crash course at the beginning of the new year is aimed at helping students catch up and plug any holes.
The bridge course was launched by the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) in state board schools. The 45-day crash course is to be held from July 1 to August 14 and is expected to help students understand all important concepts across subjects from the previous year. The concept is based on the assumption that under the new normal of online schooling, students might not have clearly understood some things. The crash course is expected to serve as a revision before teachers begin the new curriculum. Now, English medium schools, too, have started demanding it.
"The curriculum is the same, only the medium of instruction is different. Then why not offer the same course for English medium students, too?" asked the principal of an aided English medium school, adding that since the number of such schools is fewer, teachers are worried of consequences if they intensify their demand.
"There are fewer English medium schools aided by the government. But there are many private schools following the State Board curriculum. If such a course is made available, many will be able to take advantage of it. And because it comes from the SCERT, it will have the required credibility," said a teacher, adding that even parents would be willing to help children participate in the courses. "Many of the students come from underprivileged backgrounds. Parents are worried about their children's studies. This bridge course will be like a free crash course," said the teacher.
SCERT's Deputy Director Vikas Garad told mid-day, "The bridge course programme was launched in Marathi and Urdu medium because we have the highest number of schools in these mediums. We are thinking of offering similar courses in other mediums too."
The State Council for Educational Research and Training's (SCERT) bridge course for students of Std II to VIII is a crash course based on the previous year's curriculum's important topics. The course aims to ensure there are no gaps in students knowledge, considering the Covid-19-caused lockdown and online studies. The course is important because as per the Right to Education Act, all students in these standards have to be passed compulsorily. During the course, periodical tests will also be held to evaluate the children.
