HRD Minister holds video meet with teachers of several schools

HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank spoke to the teachers of various schools through a video conference and discussed NCERT guidelines on how to reopen schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Delhi: The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank on Thursday held meeting with teachers of several schools through video conferencing and discussed the prevailing situation in the academic world after the lockdown in the country.

He listened to their problems and appreciated their efforts in creating awareness about the steps taken by the government to fight Covid-19.

During the conversation with Dr Nishank, a teacher said, "we are filing the reports daily after a four-hour class of online course and after that now the responsibility of board evaluation work has also come. In such a situation, how can it be possible to do both."

Answering to the question, the HRD minister said, "Teachers who are involved with evaluation work need not take online classes. The CBSE has also issued these guidelines. We understand that both things are not possible at the same time. So the teachers do not need to juggle it with online classes."

"The CBSE has started the evaluation work for Class 10-12 board exams from 12 May. Answer sheets are being sent to teachers’ homes so that all safety norms are followed," he said.

"What is the government's strategy to reopen schools after lockdown and by when are the schools expected to open?," asked a teacher from Madhya Pradesh.

Answering this query in the live interaction, Dr Nishank said, "We hope to be able to welcome our children back to school and we are actively working on it and the Ministry will take all possible steps to ensure holistic development of students. The National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is working on guidelines for the reopening of schools after the lockdown."

"Classroom teaching would resume only when the conditions are conducive which is why the Government is focussing more on the online classes in the near future. Today television is in almost every household and keeping this in mind, 32 channels are being broadcast on Doordarshan, Dish TV, Jio TV, and Tata Sky. All courses ranging from higher and technical education to school education will be broadcast on all these channels. For families who do not have TV, I am appealing that today the people of the neighbourhood should help them and support the students." Dr Nishank added.