TN Govt issues guidelines for online classes

The Tamil Nadu Government on Thursday announced guidelines for virtual classroom sessions.

Educational institutions have been shut across the country from March 16, due to the pandemic situation. Meanwhile, classes are being conducted for students online, to cover the syllabus. Though the online classes were started by the private institutions long back, TN Govt schools haven't joined the race until recently.

The State Education Minister K A Sengottaiyan had earlier also announced that the lessons to students of government schools will be taught through 'Kalvi TV' and added that 14 TV channels are ready to telecast lessons from August 1.

Accordingly, the School Education Department had announced a set of guidelines for schools that conduct online classes and also for Government schools that are planning to conduct classes through TV. As per the order issued: 1) Lessons shall be conducted in any of the following three modes: completely online, partially online and offline mode.

2) There should be a 10 to 15-minute break between each class.

3) LKG, UKG class children should not be taught online.

4) Classes for 1-8 standard students should be held for 1.30 hours and Classes 9-12 students should be for 3 hours only.

5) Duration for each class should be only 30 to 45 minutes.

6) Each teacher should take only a maximum of 6 classes.

7) Lessons will be broadcast on private televisions from August 3.

Earlier on July 14, the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) had also announced guidelines for online classes by schools and recommended a cap on screen time for students. The online classes for pre-primary students should not be for more than 30 minutes, as asserted HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’.

Meanwhile, the complete lockdown has been extended till August 31 with various relaxations across the state, according to the announcement made by the Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi Palanisami.