Academics in Pandemic: 'There isn't going to be a compromise with students' studies'
strap: Munish Jain, Principal, Lord Mahavira Jain Public School, says staff doing all to prepare wards for board exams
While the school authorities are still finding it difficult to adapt to the new normal after resumption of regular classes, Munish Jain, Principal, Lord Mahavira Jain Public School, Phagwara, believes that the whole outlook of education has changed for students. In an interview with Ajay Joshi, he says it’s been more than a month now since the schools were reopened for classes IX-XII but the staff is still figuring out how the examinations should be conducted. The board exams are approaching but the pandemic has already delayed the usual schedule of pre-board examinations. However, the teachers are making all efforts to complete the syllabus. Excerpts from the interview:
How has your school been dealing with the challenges posed by Covid-19?
The main challenges we were exposed to by the pandemic have already been handled using trial and error method. We were earlier anticipating that the situation would normalise in winters, considering the downfall in infections, but with the mutation the panic state still persists. Besides, the whole online education concept came as a challenge for us. In fact, schools all around the country were not ready for online classes and the lack of technical support made it much tougher. Though it was troublesome for teachers to understand the concept of digital education and focus individually on every student, they managed to adapt themselves to the method.
As schools have reopened, what is the response of the students?
The footfall of students in the school is average. In the beginning days the students were not willing to come to the school, but now nearly 250-300 students of classes IX-XII are coming regularly. A large number of students told their teachers that their parents were not allowing due to the Covid threat. However, those who are attending prefer offline classes over online classes. They said that many concepts remained unclear in the digital classes. The winters are generally used as a golden time for revision for board exam appearing students and the subsequent pre-board exams helps them to understand it’s pattern, however, it is out of picture this year for the students. Online classes are only beneficial when individual attention is paid to all the students.
What infrastructural changes have been made for the digital sessions?
We have installed internet devices with better bandwidth in the school. Besides, we have modified smart classes and technical labs in the schools to adapt to the new normal. The school management remained supportive of the technical advancement needed for the digital classes. The teachers were provided with laptops and other devices. The management made sure that there won’t be any compromise with the studies.
What psychological changes you are observing among teachers and students amid pandemic?
The pandemic came as a big surprise for all of us. Not only teachers feel overburdened but also the children. It has adversely affected the mental state as well as health of both. The concept of six-seven hours teaching and learning has unexpectedly changed to a full day course. After reopening of schools, the teachers not only have to take classes in the school but also digitally. Likewise, the timings of lectures as per different schedules affect students. The teachers sometimes feel that due to online education they have lost control over discipline command over students. Parents also complain about strain on the eyes among their children due to increased exposure to screens.
Are online examinations equally beneficial as compared to the physical ones?
There can’t be any substitute to the classroom examinations. Conducting examinations in schools is more credible than in the online mode. Though, the teachers diligently frame question papers, the students remained a worried lot. Many a times students also prefer to come to the schools only for the examinations. The doubt clearance and the discussions on the question papers are only possible in the classrooms only.
What will be your concern once the classroom teaching begins for all students?
Apart from completing the syllabus, we will have to ensure that there isn’t any psychological change among the students. The pandemic has changed their habits and the school discipline has completely taken a back seat. So, making the students adjust to the new normal could be a new task. We will now have to revive the teacher-student interaction.
Do you think the digital shift is here to stay?
As far as digital shift is concerned, it is going to keep its presence alive partially. Students have become tech-savvy these days. So, getting information with a single click is more convenient for them. Also, I believe, more technical shift is required for digitalisation for which more efforts needs to be made. Considerably, cheaper sources would be a win-win situation for the children. Moreover, for the official tasks, it has already replaced the traditional methods of working in schools. However, for the overall personality development of children virtual education can’t be a good option.
How were the admissions this year?
The admissions were average this year. The ratio of new admissions and students who leave the schools was equal. The financial crunch forced some parents to withdraw their wards.
