New session: 70% classes online, staff to attend colleges from Aug 4

Gurgaon: In a set of new guidelines for the new academic session 2020-21, the department of higher education has asked all government colleges in the state to conduct 70% of yearly lectures online, and the remaining 30% via physical classes when the situation normalises. A detailed discussion with the colleges in this regard has also been scheduled on Sunday afternoon.
Starting from August 4, all teaching and non-teaching staff have been asked to report to their respective colleges and the onus of ensuring that physical distancing norms are being observed has been put on the college principals.
According to the recent order, colleges have been tasked to devise a timetable for the online classes and ensure that 70% lectures in this session are conducted online. Further, teachers have been asked to develop PPTs and audio/video lectures for online classes.
The guidelines, which provide the basic structure of the new academic session, was issued after receiving feedback from the colleges and teachers on various indicators such as number of students with access to smartphones/laptops among others. However, there are still several issues that need to be clarified before the colleges resume.
Pooja Khullar, principal of Dronacharya College, said, “We have received the new order and have communicated the same to the teachers. We are in the process of devising a timetable and preparing content for online lectures. However, there are some points where we still need clarity. For instance, the orientation of first year students has to be discussed. Also, how do we reach students who don’t have access to internet or smartphone?”
Educators have further cautioned that going ahead with the online classes without addressing challenges could be counterproductive. “In our college, 30% students in PG courses and 40% students in UG courses do not have smartphones, laptops or internet connectivity and they are mostly girls,” Khullar added.
Moreover, in the existing infrastructure, several colleges lack computer labs, smart classes, broadband connection, among others.
Sunder Singh, a commerce faculty in a government college, said, “Government Girls College in Sector 52 still doesn’t have its own building. Power supply is so bad that we would wait for hours and even suspend classes at times. Internet connectivity is pathetic and there is no computer lab or even a proper room that can be called a classroom. And, this is just one college. The government should upgraded the infrastructure before starting online classes.”