Going online with classes during lockdown has been one of the most difficult decisions of schools. Educationists say that the decision was made keeping in mind the welfare of students. Here’re six reasons why schools went online:
- Didn’t wish to leave children idle for too long
“We didn’t wish that our children do nothing during the lockdown,” said Dr Anshu Arora, Principal, Amity International School, Gurugram, adding, “We are trying to ensure that children spend this time in a productive manner.”
Agrees Guneet Ohri, Principal, Suncity School, Sec 37D, Gurugram, “Some parents and a section of our fraternity were of the opinion that the school should keep children occupied as the latter were unlikely to do things of their own.”
- Parents wanted us to go online
Although some parents have been complaining that schools started these classes so that they can charge fee for this lockdown period, surprisingly, school heads are saying that it was parents who advised them to go online. “We started getting calls from parents. They wanted us to start taking online classes, so that a routine is back in their child’s life,” said Dr Priti Ojha, Principal, Delhi International School, Sector 23, Dwarka, Delhi.
- Finish syllabus
This is one of the major reasons why schools went out of their way to start online classes. “We don’t know how long this crisis will last, how will we finish syllabus?” explains Dr Arora, adding, “If we won’t do it now, then when? Starting early is the best thing to do.”
Schools are hopeful that given the extraordinary circumstances that the world is in, CBSE will reduce syllabus for this academic year.
READ ALSO: Seven Challenges that schools faced while going online
- To help parents concentrate on other things
Office work and domestic chores are keeping parents so busy that they hardly have time to teach their children. “Parents are busy during the morning hours. They have to do household work minus maids. Then there is office (work for home) for most of them, hence they wanted us to keep their children engaged,” said Dr Ojha.
- Children missing schools
“Children have started missing schools now. So, this way, some sort of school routine is coming back in their life,” said Upasana Kinra, Counsellor, DPS International School, Saket, Delhi.
Adds Ohri, “Everybody is stuck in such a way that nobody knows what to do. Online classes are keeping children occupied. They are meeting each other virtually, engaging in a constructive conversation.”
- World has moved online
“Forget us, the whole world has gone online. We just jumped on the bandwagon,” says Ohri, adding, “There is so much uncertainty. Nobody wants to get bogged down by the pressure towards the end.”
No one knows how long the lockdown will continue and when normalcy will return in our lives. While this year it is Coronavirus, last year too, the schools were forced to close due to pollution and extreme weather conditions. Under these circumstances, going online is certainly a right thing to do. This will not only help sail through the present crisis posed before educationists and students but also prepare them for the uncertain future.
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