The Karnataka government has issued a formal order stating its earlier announcement about banning online live learning for primary class students, up to class 5. It directs all schools across boards to stop online classes from kindergarten to class 5. The order also directs schools not to collect fees from parents in the name of online learning. The Karnataka government has also formed a committee with education experts to look into alternative for online classes for the primary section.
The order has been issued under the section 7 of Karnataka Education Act (1983). “If the schools have already started online live classes for LKG to Class 5, they should stop immediately. Pre-recorded videos should not also be shared,” reads the order. The government has formed an expert committee to look into the matter and form a report on how education can be continued for young learners. The committee, headed by Prof MK Shridhar, a senior academician, comprises members from private school managements representing ICSE, CBSE and IB boards, parents, child psychologists from NIMHANS and education experts to look into scientific ways of offering alternative education to younger children.
The committee has been instructed to frame guidelines to offer age-appropriate online classes for Class 6 to 10. They will also work on coming up with activities that can help engage primary students. The Karnataka government has also sought the committee to ensure that alternative ways of learning replicate traditional classrooms. The committee should also ensure that they have a learning module for children in rural areas who do not have access to proper internet connection or smart devices for education. “No child should be deprived of education,” states the order. The committee will be submitting a detailed report in 10 days. The government will ensure that all required facilities are provided to the committee to work on the guidelines.
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