Distance Learning Program launched in Hailakandi to minimise academic loss

April 9: To minimise the academic loss of students due to closure of schools following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the education authorities here have launched the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based Distance Learning Programme (DLP) in 13 HS schools, 33 High Schools, 16 High/Senior/Title Madrassas and 36 Pre Senior Madrassas. Teachers of Indra Kumari Girls’ Higher Secondary School checked home work and notebook of students online on Thursday.

Inspector of Schools, Rajiv Kumar Jha said the ICT based DLP have been undertaken in the schools to minimise the academic loss of the students during the lockdown period. A letter was issued by the Inspector of Schools to the head of the institutions, Secondary Education, to conduct ICT based DLP classes to minimise the academic loss due to COVID-19 situation.

Following instruction from the Managing Director, Sarva Siksha Abhiyaan through zoom conference, ICT based DLP classes have started in several schools here from April 2 onwards. Jha asked the teachers not to consider the lockdown period as holidays but as an opportunity to work from home for the benefit of the students while maintaining social distancing.

A directory containing mobile numbers with WhatsApp and e mail ids of students and teachers have been compiled through which learning materials as written text, recorded teaching videos, YouTube videos, question-answer practice sets and other classwork materials are being shared daily with students. “Homework are given to the students and their responses checked. A screenshot of WhatsApp class per school per day is being shared in our district WhatsApp group,” said Jha.

The DLP classes are being conducted during school hours with the contents shared with the students being ‘progressive, textbook based and as per academic calendar prescribed by SCERT, SEBA and AHSEC’. The head of the institutions monitor the teacher wise record of DLP classes taken and type of contents provided by them to the students at home. “Academic support is also provided through phone call, conference call, video call and online class while working from home,” added Jha.

Every school has its Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram accounts through which contents shared with students are uploaded on the social media platforms for anytime use by students. With Zoom App installed in their mobile handsets, video conferencing is being held by the head of the institutions with the Inspector of Schools and vice versa.

Meanwhile, Chairman, SEBA, RC Jain appreciated the head of institutions and teachers for ensuring ICT based DLP classes in 100% secondary schools in Hailakandi district. In course of zoom conference on Thursday, Jain suggested covering more number of students particularly those who cannot afford smartphone.