‘There is an urgent need to address the challenges of e-learning’

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, May 31

Amid the pandemic, the structure of schooling and learning, including teaching and assessment methodologies, have been completely changed.

Rachna Monga, principal, Sanskriti KMV School, said as e-learning is ‘new normal’, there is an urgent need to address a few serious challenges pertaining to quality and effectiveness in online learning.

The way schools have been conducting online classes right now is not what we call a systematic approach. Internet speed, technical issues, data problem and other problems have been troubling parents and teachers since the first day of online classes. Imposing hard and fast rules won’t work. We need to have a proper structure, technology, internet connectivity and other gadgets to ensure quality education. — Rachna Monga, Principal, Sanskriti KMV School

She said there is no doubt that school principals and teachers across the country deserve appreciation for their swift response to the pandemic amid the lockdown restrictions. Their willingness has resulted in a spate of online classes, motivating learners to continue with their academics and other co-curricular activities.

However, as there is no certainty when things are going to be normal and as the government has been asking them to learn to live with the virus, there is a need for a more holistic approach, she added.

“The way schools have been conducting online classes right now is not what we call a systematic approach. Internet speed, technical issues, data problem and among other problems have been troubling parents and teachers since the first day of online classes. Imposing hard and fast rules won’t work. We need to have a proper structure, technology, internet connectivity and other gadgets to ensure quality education”, said the principal.

She added that it is time they need to opt for research and analysis on how to give overall personality development using technology. “The best brains of our country must develop some system where the rounded development of personality takes place and it provides opportunities for interaction and hand-on experiential learning,” she said.

On being asked how she has been managing to keep the morale of the staff and students high during the pandemic, the principal said she had made yoga and meditation mandatory for all teachers and students. “The online classes began with meditation at 8 am followed by academic classes. This has been introduced to boost learning and ease stress among students as well teachers,” she added.

On post lockdown plans and strategies, she said she plans to open the school in phases.

“First, we will call all teaching and the non-teaching staff. From July 10, we plan to deliver lectures to students straight from our classes as we have the availability of smart boards in all classes. Thereafter, we plan to call students of senior most classes — XI and XII. We need to first educate senior students about maintaining physical distancing and following precautions,” she said.