Several colleges switch to online education in West Bengal

Following schools, several West Bengal colleges in Kolkata and other areas are now conducting online classes for their students post notification by the state government either in advance summer vacations or completely transition into virtual mode because of the summer heat.

Speaking to the news agency PTI on Saturday, spokespersons of the colleges said teachers have been nonetheless asked to come to campus with a minimum of three days a week for clear administrative and academic work.

ONLINE EDUCATION TO CONTINUE TILL VACATIONS

Lady Brabourne College Principal Siuli Sarkar told the news agency PTI, “We have completely shifted to all disciplines in online classes and will continue until the scheduled vacation begins the third week of May.”

She further informed that the college’s campus has not been shut down and its staff continues to undertake academic and administrative work.

The principal informed further that several teachers from the college are holding online classes from classrooms whereas others are conducting them from their homes.

“Only students are not supposed to come until the end of the vacation during mid-June,” the principal added.

PRACTICAL EXAMS / SUBMISSIONS TO BE DONE PHYSICALLY

St Xavier’s College Principal Father Dominic Said informed that even though classes are being conducted online, practical examinations and project submissions are going to be done on campus.

He further said, “The college library and office are open from Monday to Friday as usual.”

Along similar lines, a Barrackpore Surendranath College spokesman said, “We have switched to the online mode since May 2 so far as holding classes are concerned. But meeting with parents, submission projects, practicals are being held on scheduled days. “

STATE GOVERNMENT INSTRUCTIONS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS

All colleges in the city and elsewhere in South Bengal are conducting virtual classes, as stated by a West Bengal College and University Professors Association spokesperson.

Private schools, which have chosen to continue their classes in the offline mode of the state education department’s announcement on April 27 that summer vacation will be announced due to the heat, shifted to online mode on May 6.

On May 5, private schools were directed by the state government to abide by its guidelines threatening students’ health due to extreme summer heat.

Principals of recognized self-financed institutes operated by private entities shall conduct courses in the online format if necessary, as stated by the West Bengal Schools Education Department’s Samagra Shiksha Mission.

It should be done without disrupting the Board of Secondary Education or the Council of Higher Secondary Education’s examinations.

STATE GOVT’S DIRECTIONS FOR HEATWAVE

In a notice on April 27, the West Bengal government had directed educational institutions to advance summer vacation to May 2 or hold classes virtually considering the summer heat.

Following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s announcement, the temperature dropped due to back-to-back Nor’westers.
After being shuttered for nearly two years due to the epidemic, schools and universities reopened in February.

(With PTI inputs)