COVID-19: UGC expert committee recommends online teaching to catch up

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) expert committee formed to suggest measures to deal with the delay of the academic cycle has submitted its report.

The committee is opposed to reducing the teaching-learning time, said a member asking not to be named. They said that the committee took a “very flexible” approach understanding the gravity of the situation.

Over reports of the committee suggesting pushing the academic calendar to September, he said that any reduction in the teaching-learning time will not be a good idea. “The board, management of an institution has decided on a certain curriculum which finishes normally in any given year as per its own pace. We understand that this is a special year, but that doesn't mean you cut down on the curriculum and students graduate will less amount of knowledge,” he added.

Online mode

The member added that one solution would be to complete the remaining part of the syllabus online. Even if time is lost, the committee believes that it can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the number of teaching days.

He said: “The committee has taken into consideration the whole country while submitting its suggestions, it has taken a very flexible approach and has insisted on online teaching and learning. These days children are tech-savvy and understand the nuances of technology and are also using it in every possible manner.”

Careers360 earlier reported that the committee is looking at suggestions to create enabling Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in universities to support online teaching and learning and train their faculty members to effectively use it.

Students left out

The member said that the committee realises that the one-size-fits-all approach does not apply to the whole country and that some students would be left out of online teaching. Universities will be asked to make some arrangements for them as well.

He also said that final-year students “are a priority” but added: “If things are getting delayed, that means everything will get delayed.”

When asked about the suggestion to push the next semester to September, he said that the expert committee is still not sure when the lockdown will be lifted, and even if it is lifted when will normalcy return.

The seven-member expert committee is headed by the vice-chancellor of the Central University of Haryana, RC Kuhad, included the vice-chancellors of Banasthali Vidyapith, Panjab University, Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya, director of Inter-University Accelerator Centre and two joint secretaries of the UGC.

Also read:

• Coronavirus: UGC committee plans smaller classes, teaching in shifts
• Coronavirus: UGC committee to suggest post COVID-19 measures soon
  

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