Published | Deccan Herald
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has stepped in to formulate an alternative academic calendar for all schools in the country as the classes continue to remain suspended in the wake of novel coronavirus spread.
Meanwhile, HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Thursday announced donating his one month salary to Prime Minister’s national relief fund to support the nation’s fight against coronavirus on a day when the government announced Rs 1.70 lakh crore welfare packages to shield the poor from the adverse economic impact of the lockdown in country.
“I will contribute more as an individual if required,” the minister said in a statement.
The NCERT has begun the move to formulate an alternative school calendar following a directive of the Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry.
“We have just received the ministry’s directive. We are working on it and hope to come up with an alternative calendar for schools as soon as possible,” NCERT director Hrushikesh Senapaty told DH when contacted.
The alternative academic calendar will stipulate on how syllabus of each of the classes should be covered properly to ensure that students studies remain unaffected and they achieve the desired learning outcome.
“We are working out a detailed plan keeping in mind various aspects like how students would utilize their time in meaningful and constructive activities while staying at home,” Senapaty added.
Disruptions in the regular academic activities and suspension of classes in schools have prompted an internal discussion in the ministry if the summer vacations in schools could be cancelled for this year to fill the gap, according to official sources.
But, no decision has yet been taken on this for it remains unclear as to when the situation would return to normal in the country, they said.