HEADING
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VIRTUAL DIFFICULTIES
1)
There are issues of network while conducting online classes. There is no statutory provision of such online teaching in the academic council
2)
The pandemic has necessitated the requirement of online classes, but in some colleges, there is network issue and online classes cannot be conducted smoothly
3)
Also, there is still no clear instruction as to which medium should be used as a standard, valid medium for conducting online classes “ Google Classroom, Google Meet or Zoom
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PANAJI
The Directorate of Higher Education circular for conducting online classes from colleges has evoked mixed feelings in the teaching faculty. Some of the college teachers were assigned government duty under disaster management, as Covid Warrior till May 31. They were on duty during the vacation period.
“While we were out of our homes, risking our lives, spending hours at Covid hospitals, some were enjoying vacation and were safe at home. Actually, as per rule after three days of such duty, one day leave is mandatory, but we don’t know whether we would be able to avail that, and when,” lamented an assistant professor in South Goa.
Another assistant professor from an autonomous college opined that whether they teach from home or from the college, it doesn’t make much difference. For them, after almost a month-long vacation the online classes will begin from June 8,” he said.
It is to be noted that after the curfew was imposed in Goa due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the university had decided via a circular on May 10 to suspend online classes for programmes offered on the university campus and at its affiliated colleges from May 11 to May 24. Non-vacation staff was supposed to work from home. Offering professional programmes governed by statutory councils/bodies continued to follow their guidelines and advisories. Again, on May 21, Goa University extended the vacation period from May 25 to May 31.
Here, the non-vacation staff, though, were asked to work from home, since the online classes were not conducted, there was no work as such for them. However, some of these non-vacation staff was assigned government duty as Covid Warrior, which they continued till May 31.
There is another issue of students who have not answered their ISAs. Students who have missed their ISA should have substantial medical reason, but many have not even submitted that. It will be difficult to evaluate such students, as on what basis should they be judged, asked one teacher, maintaining that the higher authorities in the education department should look at these practical problems.
There are also issues of network while conducting online classes. There is no statutory provision of such online teaching in the academic council. The academic council should make the necessary changes in the rules. The pandemic has necessitated the requirement of online classes, but in some colleges, there is network issue and online classes cannot be conducted smoothly. Also, there is still no clear instruction as to which medium should be used as a standard, valid medium for conducting online classes “ Google Classroom, Google Meet or Zoom.
There is no range in remote villages and some of the students were not able to attend online classes. So much of the academic year is already passed, and now we have to hurry up to complete the portion once the online classes start from June 8. It’s been a tough time, not only for the students but also for the teachers.
The academic year is prolonged. However, some of the teachers are looking forward to kick-starting their routine of going to college and teaching from the classroom, albeit online. As the XII exams have been cancelled, and marks will be assessed from internal exams and ISAs, the admission process for the coming academic year will be delayed too. In fact, it would be a really difficult one, says a teacher from a private college in South Goa.
“If all the students have scored similar marks, we would have to devise some system to judge who is eligible for admission, and who is not. Ideally, an entrance exam would be appropriate. But one has to arrive at that decision and prepare for that process, and then work out accordingly,” he suggested.
