Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Jun 20: Overlooking the pandemic scare, Kerala has started its academic activities online. The children, oblivious to the death and destruction caused by coronavirus infection, are busy learning. Their classes are not within the confines of four walls, and there is no marking of attendance. But the children have to be present for online classes at pre-determined hours.
Karnataka is uncertain about starting its academic year as there is resistance for both the online classes and regular classes. At the same time, in neighbouring Kerala, Malayalam online classes began on June 1 under the name, 'First Bell'. From June 17, online classes for border area Kannadigas in Kannada medium began.
Representational image
With its initiative, Kerala, a fully literate state, has made it clear that it does not want to allow academic activities to take backseat irrespective of the challenges posed by coronavirus.
Kasargod district has 194 primary and high schools, in which about 45,000 Kannada medium students were studying last year. This year, the students have exposed themselves to online learning. for their convenience, Kerala government has been airing classes through Kerala government's KITE YouTube Kasargod channel and Kerala Vision Kasargod cable network channel No. 46.
Right from 11 am every day, till 3 pm, nine half an hour classes of 30 minutes duration are conducted. After the classes are transmitted through the cable network, the same is uploaded onto the YouTube channel. The students can opt to watch classes via cable or YouTube link. The education department has to keep ensuring now and then that the students are learning.
These lessons are pre-recorded. The students have to jot down if they get any doubts in between. They can later contact school teachers and get their doubts clarified. Specific time has been allotted for each of the classes. If the students are unable to view the channel, they can see the same on YouTube link. For special children, online learning has been facilitated through 'White Board' software.
The teachers have recorded holding of classes in the class rooms. About 30 percent primary and 40 percent high school teachers have prepared online teaching. District Institute of Education and Training teachers and other resource persons have joined hands for this project. For PU and other degree classes too, similar arrangements will be made in due course.
In case there are problems with cable channel, YouTube or mobile network or at places where online technology cannot be reached, the teachers have been asked to visit such places and exhibit online classes by using screens. The government has also asked education department officials to prepare a list of such persons and places and provide channel or mobile connections there. The officials of the education department will be held responsible if they fail to do so.
In view of the above, the work of identifying small libraries, Anganwadi centres or continuing education centres is going on for exhibiting online classes. Kite Victors, the main channel of education in Kerala, is used to transmit Malayalam and also Kannada medium classes. Most of the students will be able to get their lessons by sitting at home. Kannada activist Dr Naresh Mulleria, said that the Kerala government has been approached to see that this is done without fail as it can benefit Kannada medium students a lot.