Heads of several schools have flagged concerns over tweak in the class schedule that has resulted in fewer classes for IX and XI.
They are going to take up the problems at a meeting that the school education department has convened on Monday afternoon to discuss innovative ways in traditional-digital learning, said sources in the department.
The headmasters and headmistresses of 69 government and government-aided schools have been invited to the meeting called by the Samagra Shiksha Mission, said the heads of the institutions.
The headmaster of a school in central Kolkata said the problem of fewer classes for IX and XI emanated because schools were asked to follow an odd-even pattern under which students of Classes X and XII would attend physical classes thrice a week — on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and those of IX and XI twice a week — on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The state secondary board tweaked the schedule on November 21, replacing the instruction of holding the classes on all days, following feedback that attendance was getting thin because many guardians were unwilling to send their wards to schools on all the days of the week.
“Instead of six days, students of classes IX and XI now have two days. Schools shut due to Covid reopened from November 16 for physical classes. Schools could hardly impart any lesson to a large section of students during the online classes because of the digital divide. So, the curtailed school days are coming in the way of plugging learning gaps,” he said.
A headmaster said they should be allowed to hold classes on Saturdays instead of keeping the weekend reserved for feedback sessions from guardians pertaining to Covid.
“We should be allowed to hold classes throughout the day. The feedback session can be held after the classes give over. Or else the syllabus could not be completed. Besides, if the classes are not held extensively, the learning gaps will remain unidentified,” said another headmaster.
The Telegraph reported on November 11 that some schools have planned to conduct remedial classes to plug possible learning gaps that students might encounter since many of them could not attend online classes because of digital divide.
On the alternate non-campus class days, schools have been told to make provisions for classes over digital platforms.
“But those lacking smartphones or encountering unstable connectivity, will again be left out. We will draw attention to these hassles at Monday’s meeting,” said a head of the institution.
The teacher of a school said Class XI students would write the annual examination in April. Those pursuing lab-based subjects will have to attend practical classes.
“Students will struggle to write the exams if the classes are not held. We want the department to leave it to the respective schools to decide on the number of days in-person classes would be held in consultation with the guardians.”
Issues like frequent sanitisation in the schools, getting content for the bridge courses being prepared by an expert committee of the department, would also be taken up at Monday’s meeting.
If the sanitisation is held frequently, the guardians will feel confident about sending his ward to the school.
Some schools have planned to hold remedial classes based on the bridge course material being developed by the expert committee.
