In a bid to ensure that the new academic session is not affected by the pandemic, Gujarat government on Saturday announced 'Home Learning' programme for Gujarati medium schools from June 15.
Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said in Gandhinagar that curriculum for students from Class III to XII will be covered in the educational programmes that will be aired on DD Girnar. Vande Gujarat channel will also show programmes for students of Class V to XII.
The arrangement is for Gujarati medium students of government and private schools.
Secretary (primary and secondary education), Vinod Rao, told THE WEEK that an estimated 70 lakh children are expected to benefit from the 'Home Learning'. While the new academic sessions begin from June 15, Rao said the physical reopening of the schools would depend on the COVID-19 situation. Students should be prepared for longer home learning, he added.
The state government has made arrangements to deliver worksheets to students who do not have the facility of television or mobile. They will also be given text books. According to Rao, the distribution of worksheets should be over within four to five days.
The textbooks are QR-coded and the students will be able to view it through mobile. Besides, some audio visual material is also being included.
The government has also instructed all the schools in the state, regardless of the curriculum they follow, to not to take fees for three months from students.
In another development, Saurashtra University has postponed its annual examination, which was to begin from June 25. New dates will be announced later.
Meanwhile, 33 people died in in the state due to COVID-19 in 24 hours ending at 5 pm on Saturday. With this the total number of deaths has gone up to 1,449.
The period also saw 517 new cases being reported. With this, the total number of positive cases in the state stands at 23,079.
