Pune: The commencement of the 2020-21 academic year of schools and higher educational institutes (HEIs) is likely to be delayed, as several examinations -- state and national level -- have been postponed. However, no decision has come from authorities on this issue.
The academic year for colleges and universities usually commences on August 1, while for schools it starts from mid-June.
HEIs are likely to depend on online teaching pedagogy at the beginning of the academic sessions to make up for the delay of physical classrooms.
Due to the nationwide lockdown as a precautionary measure against the pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19), educational institutions have considered postponing all the examinations. The authorities of respective sectors have stated that a new timetable will be notified as and when the situation comes under control.
JEE/NEET postponed
Just like entrance exams to technical colleges, including the Joint Entrance Examination ( JEE) have been postponed, on Friday evening the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical and dental courses have also been postponed till May last week. Ramesh Pokhriyal, the minister of human resource development, tweeted about this.
The JEE (Main) examination was originally between April 5 and NEET on May 3. NTA director-general Vineet Joshi issued a directive on March 27, stating that the exact date will be announced later after assessing the situation. Accordingly, the admit cards for the examination which were to be issued on March 27 will now be issued after April 15.
The candidates and their parents are advised to keep visiting ntaneet.nic.in and www.nta.ac.in for latest updates on both JEE and NEET, Joshi advised.
Bridge gap with online courses
Joint director of Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Pune region, DR Nandanwar stated that academic year would most likely be delayed, but it can be coped with managing the academic operations.
“Like conducting crash course-- many educational institutes are following online courses to cover several syllabuses. Such instruments can be used to cover the portion. Several faculty members are already creating online study material so that the physical teaching process can be curtailed. I don’t think it will affect the academics much,” said Nandanwar.
While online courses can be an alternative option for several subjects, streams like medical which involves practicals in the majority of its syllabus online education seem to be tricky. However, Dr Nitin Bhagali, a medical activist stated that in fact, even medical education could include online learning methods. “For first-year medical students, the university of health sciences can include online apps for anatomy lessons which are important in the initial year. Certainly, the students may miss the hands-on dissection experience. Still, there are many good online apps that show layer by layer dissections as well,” said Bhagali.
University exams postponed
Universities have also cancelled all the examinations scheduled till at least April 14, including Pune's Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). Representatives of universities have also emphasised on boosting online teaching method to bridge the academic gap.
Vice-Chancellor of SPPU Nitin Karmalkar said in emergencies, exceptions have to be made.
"We are still working out on alternative ways to conduct examinations and evaluations for students. Certainly, there will be no academic loss of students. We are considering options like whether to conduct online examination -- then the question and answer will be in an objective format. It won’t be feasible for subjects like science stream where practicals are required," Karmalkar said, adding that discussions are on with all the deans, principals and higher-ups in University Grants Commission and MHRD.
Karmalkar also stated that admissions anywhere would not be affected because of the situation is the same across the globe.
Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) Vice-chancellor, MM Salunkhe also said, “Academic sessions at universities abroad mostly begin in September or October. Therefore, it will not be a problem for students aspiring to seek admissions outside.”
Schools await decision
“As far as the students from class I to VIII are concerned, I don't think there would be a need to delay the new academic year as these children will be promoted without examinations. Many of most of class X and XII Board examinations are also over. Apart from that, it will be too early to say anything,” said State Education Commissioner Vishal Solanki.
Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) Education Officer Sunil Kurhade maintained that everything depends on policy decisions.
“We are hoping that we will know what to do about the class IX and XI students after April 15, the initial period of lockdown,” he added.
