Schools Online Classes Return: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for online classes and work from home, the discussion on hybrid model has intensified in schools across the country. Know whether online classes will start again, what are the concerns and challenges of schools and parents, has any government order been issued regarding the hybrid school model? Read latest update
Hybrid School Model Return: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal to promote online meetings and classes for some time has sparked a new discussion among students and parents across the country. After this statement given amid rising global oil prices and the need for fuel saving, the biggest question has become whether schools are again going to adopt hybrid or online model like the Corona period? Although no official order has been issued yet, the internal discussions going on in schools have increased the concern of parents.
Will school classes really be online?
Following the Prime Minister’s appeal, consideration of alternative teaching models has started in many schools in different states across the country. Some institutions are looking at the possibility of a hybrid arrangement on a limited scale, where select classes can be shifted online, while physical classes for the remaining students will continue. But the biggest problem at the moment is lack of clarity. Neither has any formal circular come from the education department nor have schools made a uniform policy. In such a situation, parents are not able to understand whether regular schooling of children will continue or there will be a sudden change to digital mode.
What is the biggest concern facing parents?
The experiences of online learning during the Corona pandemic are still not easy memories for families. Many parents say that if online classes start again, children’s problems like screen time problem, lack of attention in studies may resurface. The situation may become more difficult for working parents. Managing work from home and children’s online education simultaneously had become a cause of stress earlier also. In such a situation, the sudden indication of some new arrangement is increasing the concern of the families.
Why is confusion increasing between students and parents?
Middle and senior class students say that the discussion about online classes is affecting their exam preparation and summer planning. Many students want to know how attendance will be managed if schools adopt hybrid model? Will tests and assessments be online or offline? Will the same system apply to all classes? The constantly changing discussions and different reactions of schools have put the routine planning of students and parents in suspense.
Decision is not easy even in front of schools
The school administration is currently in wait and watch mode. The situation has become more complicated due to the beginning of summer vacation. Some schools are assuming that even if there is a change, it can be implemented after the holidays. School managements are also looking at how to balance online and offline models so that studies are not affected and there is no additional pressure on parents.
After all, how did the school model get linked to fuel saving?
The focus of the government’s concern is rising global oil prices. Due to the ongoing geopolitical tension in West Asia, there has been increased pressure on crude oil prices, which is impacting India’s fuel import expenditure. Thousands of school buses run on diesel every day in big cities of different states of the country including the capital Delhi. In such a situation, if online or hybrid classes are adopted for a few days, fuel consumption can be reduced. However, experts believe that such a step is not just an administrative decision but also a matter of social and educational balance.
Has a government order been issued regarding the hybrid school model?
At present, students and parents do not need to panic because no government order has been issued regarding online classes. Schools have not yet received binding instructions. Most institutions are only discussing possibilities. The final decision will be possible only after the approval of the State Education Department. That is, right now the situation is completely at the level of possibility, but the Prime Minister’s appeal has definitely indicated that new strategies regarding the schooling model may emerge in the coming days.