Academic yr to start from June, some schools likely to go online

The state education department on Tuesday clarified that it would begin the new academic year from June irrespective of whether schools are able to open amid Covid-19 pandemic.

“The new academic year for schools in the state would begin from June 15. Wherever schools cannot start, we will use digital learning to reach out to students,” said Vishal Solanki, education commissioner.

In red zones like Mumbai, schools are not likely to start in June.

The department had invited suggestions from stakeholders about possible reopening plan and dates.

While most stakeholders had suggested not opening schools soon, the department has decided on keeping the academic year as it is even as schools cannot open in many places due to the rising cases of Covid-19.

“If the academic year does not begin, a lot of students are likely to drop out especially in rural areas and from poor urban households. Education cannot be stopped for such students. Even if some schools open, it would be a relief as children would get midday meals which will be a big thing in today’s time when so many are struggling to get two square meals a day,” said

Hemangi Joshi, a city-based activist.

Currently, only about 30% of the students in the state have access to smartphones or the technology required for e-learning as per the data available with the state education department.

“It is going to be a big challenge if the new academic year begins and most schools still remain shut because the remaining students do not necessarily have the technology for e-learning. Also, e-learning does not merely mean sitting in front of a screen and students need to be acquainted with the system for actual learning to take place online,” said the principal of a city-based school.