The decision of several private schools to start online classes during curfew period has evoked a mixed response from parents, educationists and the state government.

The state government had closed all educational institutions in the state till March 31st in the wake of looming threat of Corona virus, which would now remain closed till April 14.

Meanwhile, many private schools have started online classes for the students to keep them busy with studies instead of sitting idle at home. While many have welcomed this decision but there are many who are sensing “ulterior motive” in this move.  

Telling about the move a principal tells, “Since the schools are closed for almost a month and there is still an uncertainty, school managements have decided to start online classes to utilize this break for some home study.”

“Long break can hamper continuity in studies among students and we intend to keep them occupied instead of sitting idle at home,” he added.

However,  many feel, “The private school managements have started online study to charge fees for this break, more so, since new session is scheduled to begin in summer closing schools – a time when they garner huge money  and now asking parents to pay fees online for the new session.”

A house wife, Shilpa Sharma said, “It is very difficult to ask children, especially young ones to switch to mobile teaching instead of class room and parents can’t teach them like in a class room, making the whole exercise futile.”

Former Professor of Himachal Pradesh University and an acclaimed teacher Dr. Ghanshyam  Chauhan says , “ Online classes can be no substitute for class room teaching as grasping capacity of each student varies and only a teacher can help them in the class room; moreover,  teaching is more a personal communication skill than a mere narration.”

CITU leader Vijender Mehra, who has been highlighting various issues related to private schools tells, “We have been raising the issue of regulation of private schools in the state for long but state government has failed to enact a law and how can private schools start online studies without their expertise and approval?”

Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said, “It is alright if they are doing online classes to keep students occupied during the closure on but if they charge fees than we would review this matter after reopening of schools.”

“The state government is trying to regulate private schools through existing laws and has already asked private schools not to charge fees till April 30th; we were in the process of bringing a legislation to regulate private school education in the state Assembly during the budget session but could not pass it due to current situation and would soon enact it after the situation improves.”

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4 thoughts on “Eyebrows raised on online classes in private schools

  1. I personaly think, its a very effective way to keep students involed in construtive activities. The activities include, going through the routine school classes, albeit on online mode but also encouaging the students to put forth their queries for necessary clarifications at the spot itself . This is infact the need of the hours to atune ourselves to this mode, especially during such exigencies. I don’t have any idea about the extra fees, the school is charging…

    1. Thanks for your response .
      In fact it is good in case of schools where session has already begun to keep students occupied . But some schools, where session was about to begin in late March or beginning of April are using this to collect fees for new session fearing they might lose fee of one month and huge amount they collect at the time new admissions.

  2. Even government schools have been asked to engage student s from 9 am to 12 noon but perhaps goverment is unaware that 90percent parents of govt run schools students are neither having smart phone with inter net ,even those who have might not be able to get the net recharge done during COVID 19 lock down and curfew in HP ,for technical and financial reasons .
    The govt . May retract in such situation from its orders , notifications , it is always wise to take a decision late but with full pros and con study , implications so that haste may not cause embarassment later .
    निंदक नियरे राखिये आंगन कुटी छवाय ।

    1. Thanks a lot for your comment sir.
      You are right that many students of government schools are not having mobile internet facilities and there are problems of recharge too . Though many state governments have advised schools to start online classes to engage students during the lock down period but it is still not practical in many areas where students do not have access to smartphone and internet facility.

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