January 11, 2021.
TED NewsDesk, Mumbai: The degree colleges of Mumbai University have decided to continue with the online education, keeping in view the extension of lockdown in the state till January 31st. The colleges have decided to have a mixed approach with both online and offline classes, even after the lockdown lifts and offline classes are allowed by the government.
According to the principal of a college in Malad said, “We will have 30 to 40 per cent lectures online even if we resume offline classes. Both students and professors have got a hang of virtual education by now, so we will continue this blended approach for this academic year.”
The administration in degree colleges have informed that currently all of the classes are strictly online, but for the academic year 2021-22, they are considering keeping a mixed approach with both online and physical classes. COVID-19 pandemic has made the commencement of offline classes delayed, with new strains of the virus being detected in a few states in India and abroad, lockdowns are again being imposed.
The principal of a college on Charni Road commented on the required fieldwork and laboratory practicals, “We are awaiting the guidelines from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the state Higher and Technical Education Department. We will give priority to resume offline lectures for practicals, laboratory classes and fieldwork.”
Although the government has not specified any new guidelines for the reinforced lockdown that extends till January 31st, the colleges are following the old ones and continuing with the online classes. Most of the educational institutions have made their own systems for imparting online education, holding webinars and conducting exams. It has made functioning easier both for the students and the authorities.
Source: Free Press Journal