The Alternative Academic Calendar as launched by Hon MHRD.
In this period of Covid-19, which is declared as global pandemic, our teachers,
parents and students have to remain at homes to prevent its spread in the
community. In this situation, it is our responsibility to provide them with
multiple alternative ways of learning at home through interesting activities. It
is necessary because in the present environment of stress we have to not only
keep our children busy but also to maintain continuity of their learning in
their new classes. In this context, NCERT has developed an Alternative
Academic Calendar for all the stages of school education.
Initially, this calendar is prepared for four weeks, which may be
extended further. In this calendar the themes/topics have been selected from
syllabus and are linked with learning outcomes. Guidelines have been
developed for conducting interesting activities based on these learning
outcomes. But it is a matter of fact that many teachers and parents have only
simple mobile phone as a tool available at their homes and all the teachers
and students do not have virtual classroom facility, in view of this the
activities are designed and presented in such a way that many activities can
be conducted by the parents and students on their own after talking to
teachers over phone. Teachers can contact parents and students using a
range of tools starting from simple mobile phone to internet based diverse
technological tools for giving them appropriate guidelines for conducting these
activities given in the calendar.
This calendar includes not only generic guidelines and subject specific
activities, but also detailed material on the use of different technological and
social media tools as well as strategies for reducing stress and anxiety in the
present time. This guideline also contains activities related to art education
and health and physical education. It also includes reference of many learning
resources along with textbooks.
This calendar is flexible and suggestive. Teacher can implement this
taking into consideration the contexts and needs of the State/UT. This
calendar has been developed by the faculty members of all the constituent
units of the NCERT including NIE, CIET, PSSCIVE and all the five RIEs using
on–line platforms such as whatsapp, google hang out, zoom, etc. for
discussion and feedback. Their hard work is commendable.
For implementing this calendar SCERT and Directorate of Education
may form teams including faculty members from DIETs and School Principals,
who can continuously do follow-up and provide support to teachers using
mobile phone and other accessible technological tools and social media.
I hope, this calendar will be useful for teachers and parents in creating
a very conducive learning environment at home for the students so that they
can learn in a very meaningful and joyful way.
Suggestions of the concerned stakeholders are welcomed for further
improving this calendar. Suggestions and feedback may be sent to
HRUSHIKESH SENAPATY.
Director
National Council of Education Research and Training.
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