Use dedicated TV channel for PISA test: Centre to UT

Naina Mishra

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 2

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) (now called the Ministry of Education) has asked Chandigarh to use a dedicated television channel for students participating in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

The ministry said a dedicated television channel might be used for PISA-related programmes for which the State Council of Education Research and Training, Chandigarh (SCERT), will create a framework and a proposal would be submitted to the MHRD.

The UT Education Department has been asked to make an action plan on how to reach students with gaps and challenges and ways to overcome these. The local department has also been asked to plan teacher training during vacation time to avoid straining of teachers after the opening of the schools.

Besides, mentor teachers may be identified for each set of five to 10 teachers for hand-holding and providing support to the students.

The ministry said, “Since schools are closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This time may be utilised to focus on children’s reading ability and speed with comprehension. Students’ learning should be ensured through e-learning and other media such as television, community radio, traditional mobiles and smartphones with the objective to achieve coherent access for a seamless reach to the target audience.”

Chandigarh was selected to participate in PISA in 2018 and the field trial was to be conducted in April and May 2020 for the selected students and the main PISA test was scheduled for April and May 2021, which has been postponed due to the Covid-induced lockdown.