Private schools in Hyderabad lean on technology, to begin online classes this week

HYDERABAD: With no clear guidelines from the Telangana government on reopening of schools, many city private schools are set to commence online classes from the first week of June. From Google meet-ups to pre-recorded videos and online tasks, schools are adopting new methods to engage students.
As uncertainty over resumption of physical classes looms large, schools have unilaterally framed their own models to resume classes for the 2020-21 academic year. Adopting to more hybrid models of teaching, school managements have issued a detailed plan to students with time-table, mode of online classes, assessments etc.

“For senior students, we will upload the lessons and pre-recorded videos and share the link with them so that they can access any time and from anywhere. Subsequently, we will have live classes once a week wherein students will interact with the teacher and get their doubts cleared,” said Shailaja Gopinath, principal of Delhi Public School, Secunderabad, adding that topics that were otherwise covered in one session in a physical classroom are split into two in virtual classes.
To make virtual classes interactive and interesting, schools are adopting online quizzes, brain teasers and challenges. “Virtual learning will further be made interesting with anecdotes, case studies, discussions, quiz and audio-visual engagements,” read a detailed virtual learning plan of action, issued by Glendale Academy.
Schools will also celebrate important events such as Telangana formation day, World Yoga and Music Day, Vanamahotsav virtually.
While school managements are a step ahead in planning the ensuing academic year, Telangana school education department is yet to frame guidelines for physical reopening of schools. “We have not taken any call on framing guidelines for reopening of schools. We are waiting for a nod from the education minister,” said Ramana Kumar, additional director, school education department.
According to sources, state education minister Sabitha Indra Reddy is planning to hold a review meeting with all the stakeholders including teachers, parents and school managements and subsequently constitute a sub-committee. The sub-committee will finalise guidelines on physical reopening of schools after considering suggestions from all stakeholders.