Providing relief to schools and students, Union Minister of Human Resource Development Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said that the decision to reopen educational institutions would be based on the existing situations and task force recommendations.
According to media reports, the Union minister said that the task force will consider all the safety norms and related issues before arriving at any decision.
Pokhriyal said the new academic calendar has already been released and the final exams will be held in July.
The ministry has made an alternate plan for contaminated areas.
For Class 12 boards remaining exams, the process will start once the situation normalizes.
Pokhriyal said wherever there has been a need for exams they have been allowed to be conducted and they will be conducted in future as well.
“Class 1 to 8, 9 & 11 class students have already been promoted on basis of internal assessment marks. All states adopted the same process. Instructions were given to start the preparation to evaluate Class 10 papers,” he said.
The minister said that the government is making all efforts to ensure that the studies of children do not get affected.
Amid Coornavirus epidemic, the Uttar Pradesh Department of Secondary Education has announced to start evaluating the board exam papers of Classes 10 and 12 from May 5 onwards.
The evaluation process was stalled as the entire country went into lockdown from March 25, 2020.
According to a notification, “the evaluation centres shall start evaluating papers from May 5 by observing the social distancing norms in place”. The council said that only the required number of teachers to be called into the centres at a time.
The council aims to complete all evaluation by May 25, so that results can be declared soon. Both Class 10 and Class 12 board exams had ended by March 6.
All educational institutions were closed in the country from mid-March as the number of coronavirus infections started rising rapidly. In other states, board exams have been postponed multiple times due the pandemic and the lockdown.
In the wake of COVID-19 outbreak in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting to deliberate on the issues and reforms in the education sector.
The meeting also focused on uniformity in education by providing universal access to quality education by framing a new curriculum. The new curriculum includes multi-linguistic, 21st century skills and integrates sport, art, environmental issues etc. which can benefit the students.
“To achieve all these goals and to ensure efficient educational governance extensive use of technology including artificial intelligence will be promoted,” said the general statement.
The discussions gave consideration to early childhood care and education, foundational literacy and numeracy, adapting contemporary pedagogy, preserving the cultural and linguistic diversity of India.
The meeting involved the use and promotion of technology in various modes for education at school and higher levels. It includes online platforms, educational portals, TV channels, radio, podcasts etc.
The government has been actively promoting online education through internet-based digital platforms and broadcasting educational content on TV through dedicated education channels.
Chaired a meeting in which we had in-depth discussions relating to the education sector. We are working towards educational reforms that would make India a global knowledge superpower. https://t.co/B7dbMXBan3
According to notification by CISCE (the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations), the pending papers / exams for 10th and 12th Class students will be held by the board soon. The board also stated that a notice of 8-days will be given to the students before resumption of the exams.
The board has released an official notice on its website. Students can visit the official site for further information.
According to the notice released by CISCE, a total of 14 exams are currently pending for the students of the CISCE Board. For ICSE or Class 10 students, the pending exams are to be held for Geography – HCG Paper 2, Biology – Science Paper 2, Economics – Group III Elective, and Hindi & Art Paper 6.
Similarly, exams for 8 subjects is pending for ISC or 12th Class students for Biology – Paper 1, Business Studies, Geography, Sociology, Psychology, Home Science Paper 1, Elective English and Art Paper.
One of the major concerns expressed by students who have to appear for the ICSE and ISC Board Exam 2020 has been about the lack of clarity about datesheet and exam dates.
The board has said that it will take around 6 to 8 weeks to complete the evaluation process and declare the results.
As the Government of India extended the lockdown till May 17, 2020, educational Institutions, including Schools and Colleges will remain closed for next two weeks.
To curb the spread of Coronavirus infection the government has extended the lockdown. Schools and Colleges across the country have been closed since mid-March, since the lockdown was first announced.
Prior to extension, the Health Ministry released a detailed list of Coronavirus Hotspots in the country (district-wise) and identified them in three zones i.e. Red Zones, Orange Zones and Green Zones.
While a few relaxations have been allowed in Orange and Green Zone areas, those relaxations have not been extended to educational instructions. As per MHA guidelines, all schools, colleges, universities, coaching centres, training centres and other such establishments will remain closed until 17th May 2020.
The most obvious impact of the extension of lockdown on education sphere will be felt by students who are currently in their Board Exam Years or those who are seeking admission to universities and colleges.
Since the commencement of lockdown in March, Board Exams, College and University Exams as well as several National-level Entrance Exams such as JEE Main 2020 and NEET UG 2020 are also expected to be pushed back and postponed further.
Amid Coronavirus outbreak, Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) has extended the last date to submit application form of EAMCET, PGECET and ECET courses. The application date has been extended up to May 15.
The last date has been extended to allow more students to register for the exams.
Application forms for EAMCET, PGECET and ECET are available online on the official website.
Students can now apply online till the extended last date without paying any extra fees.
TSHCE has earlier postponed the EAMCET, PGECET and ECET exam which were scheduled for various dates in May.
The new schedule for the exam will be announced in due course of time.
PGECET is conducted for admission in postgraduate engineering colleges courses whereas ECET is conducted for diploma students to get admissions in second year engineering courses.
Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test, Commonly called EAMCET is conducted for admission in undergraduate engineering, agriculture and pharmacy courses.
Over 91 per cent of the world’s student population has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Schools and higher educational institutions have been shut down in several countries affected by Covid-19 to curb the spread of the infection. More than 157 crore students across 191 countries are affected due to the COVID epidemic.
The Coronavirus pandemic has created an unprecedented halt in the education sector. The government of India has imposed a lockdown in the country till May 3, 2020 for the safety of general public. If the educational institutes are further closed down, then it will have a direct impact on the remaining board exams of different states. They will be further delayed, which will again impact the ongoing academic session.
Elets Technomedia and digitalLEARNING Magazine organized a webinar on “COVID 19: Paradigm shift in education sector and role of Technology for continued learning” with eminent speakers from the education sector. All the speakers presented their views over the topic.
Speaking over the issue Dr Sayalee Gankar, Vice-Chancellor, DY Patil University said “The Covid-19 has created a great impact on higher education. The challenge was to complete the courses and to engage students. Not only that, but faculty preparation was also a challenge. Faculties and students used technology wisely. The infrastructure of digital education is very poor and can create a hindrance in adopting online education.”
She also said dealing with uncertainly is the main challenge in this issue. No one knows when will the university will open and things will get normal, she added.
Dr Gankar also said internships and placement will be a major challenge for universities. With the lockdown the placement season is over but honoring the offers will be also a challenge for firms.
She also said blended education is need of the hour and content development is also important for facilities.
Not only virtual classes, but assessment of students are also a huge issue for universities as every subject exam cannot be taken online.
She also emphasized on Trans-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary methods for universities.
Dr. M. N. Patel, Provost, Parul University, said “The COVID-19 has created a crisis in global learning. Online teaching is the only option of the hour. We have conducted exams through the online system. But the assessment remains a challenge for all. There is uncertainty and need to find alternatives.”
He also said the Covid-19 has accelerated the pace to adopt the technology in education. A lot of e-content is available and students must opt for 20 pc digital learning, he added.
The e-learning can be an option but cannot replace physical education. The attendance in the virtual classroom has increased but we still don’t know the effectiveness of the classes, he added.
He said conducting exams will be a huge challenge for all the universities.
Raghav Gupta, Managing Director – India & APAC, Coursera said “Close to 3.7 million students are sitting home due to Covid-19. The impact of Corona is huge and long-lasting on the sector. Many institutions are going for digital classes to ensure studies for their students. Technology has been changed a lot in the last few years. We need to change the mid-set of faculties, as technology is not a threat to them.”
He also said Technology can be used as a resource in learning and can open new opportunities in the education sector.
He also said Coursera is the leading online learning platform for higher education, where over 56 million learners from around the world come to learn skills. Over 200 of the world’s top universities and industry educators partner with Coursera to offer courses, certificates, and degree programs.
After Covid-19 crisis, 80 pc classes will shift to physical one but to tackle such crisis in future schools must adopt blended learning, he added. Institutions must opt for standalone, multi-disciplinary courses.
Dr Rajan Saxena, Vice-Chancellor, NMIMS University, Mumbai said “Completion of semester is a huge challenge. The universities are trying to cope up with the crisis and students are doing their best. The mobility of students will be hugely affected. The challenge is faculty competency in handling online classes. The online has transformed education. Not only in India it’s a global crisis. For every question, there is an answer and we need to find it. We need to transform the education sector.”
He also said technology is just a facilitator and we must use it wisely for providing education to students. The emergence of technology has brought a cutting edge to the education sector.
He also said the safety of students if first and social distancing will be the new norm for the students when colleges will re-open.
Prof. (Dr.) Navin Sheth, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Technological University, said “There is an uncertainly over the current situation. The universities have no proper infrastructure to conduct online exams. Taking exams will be the main challenge for universities. Earlier only 3 pc were going for online learning but now it surged to 1000 pc. Technology has reshaped the education sector. “
He also said we cannot totally opt for virtual learning to complete the syllabus. The colleges must adopt blended learning. The pedagogy change is required in the education sector
Bharat Agarwal, President, Vishwakarma University, said “The basic challenge is how to complete the syllabus and engage students. Students are ready to accept online classes. The main challenge remains the assessments of students, which has created huge hindrances. Students will miss the peer to peer learning. The education system has become more serious and monotonous.”
We must take care of the safety and hygiene of students before opening the universities. Blended learning will be the next big thing. The mobility of students will be a huge challenge for colleges as it will affect the admissions, he added.
He also urged the colleges to start digitized admission process for students.
On International Labour Day, Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal on Friday saluted workers, saying they play a big role in the country’s progress.
“Today, on International Labour Day we salute the determination & hardwork of countless workers who play a big role in India’s progress,” he tweeted.
International Workers’ Day also known as Labour Day celebrates the spirit of labourers.
There is a lockdown imposed across the country over the Cororavirus epidemic till May 3, 2020.
श्रमिकों के परिश्रम को सलाम, देश की प्रगति में श्रमिकों का अहम योगदान रहा है। अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मजदूर दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। pic.twitter.com/w1EVB0O9F4
— Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) May 1, 2020
Amidst Coronavirus epidemic, Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has extended the last date for candidates who have joined their allotted college in NEET PG Round I of counselling to resign from their joined seat.
Candidates will have time to resign their seat by 5:00 pm on May 8, 2020.
Students who wish to resign their seat can send their information to the allotted college by email or report physically requesting.
The resigned seats will come back in the system for allotment in Round 2. MCC has also requested colleges to email the resignation letter to such candidates.
The details for second round of counselling will be released soon on the official site.
The date for resignation of seats has been pushed further in view of many state counselling processes being delayed due to Covid-19 outbreak and various court cases.
MCC conducts counselling process only for the 50% All India Quota seats of all states except Jammu and Kashmir, 100% seats (All India Quota seats + Institutional Quota seats) of Central Universities (Aligarh Muslim University/ Banaras Hindu University/ University of Delhi/ Central Institutes, 100% seats of Deemed Universities.
Amid Coronavirus epidemic, the UPSC Civil Services 2020 aspirants have been in a dilemma whether the exam would be conducted by Union Public Service Commission on May 31 or not. The UPSC has yet not released any notice regarding the pending exam.
Keeping the lockdown in mind, the UPSC has deferred many exams like NDA/ NA Exam 2020, CAPF Exam 2020, Combined Medical Services Exam 2020, till further notice.
The Interviews of many exams were postponed after the lockdown was announced and the Commission in an official notice has informed that the decision on the interview would be taken after May 3, 2020.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that the UPSC and SSC exams would be conducted and will not be cancelled and decision on all exams would be taken after May 3.
He also assured that the decision would be in cognizance with the time to be provided to the candidates who reach their respective centres of examination.
In view of the current situation and COVID19 cases plummeting every day, it is difficult for the Commission to conduct any exams within the country as the candidates will have to travel to their respective centres to appear for the exams.
Candidates are advised to keep an eye on the UPSC official website for regular updates.
