Fees waiver, school reopening and online education

Covid-19 led to financial distress in private schools, 40% may close: Research

Covid-19 pandemic is much more a health crisis and quickly becoming an economic and social crisis. The recent episode of Fair Talks, a panel discussion focused on issues affecting school community organised by FairGaze, analysed the impact of Covid-19 pandemic

Maharashtra: Online petition to audit private schools

Sahai said, “Most schools are profiteering and charging exorbitant fees from parents every year. They are hiking fees every year without giving any proper justification. During this pandemic too they are charging fees by claiming that they have to pay salaries to teachers even when they have huge surplus.”

Jaipur teachers protest over state govt’s order to defer fees

One of the school teachers said, “When parents won’t pay fees how will the schools operate. Schools are financially broke and most of us are working on half salaries. Many schools, especially low-cost schools do not have budget to pay salaries or the rent at all.

Covid19 Fees and online education: States round-up

Different state governments have given different directives, either in support or against the online classes and fee collection by private schools amid the Covid 19 induced lockdown leading to closure of educational institutions.

Karnataka High Court stays govt online classes ban for LKG-class V

The Karnataka High Court has issued an interim order stating that the state government cannot ban online classes for LKG to class 5 students and stayed the Karnataka government’s orders dated June 15 and June 27, which first banned and then limited online learning for LKG-classes V.

West Bengal: Salary delayed for staff at Visva Bharati due to Covid-19 scare

The notice signed by Asha Mukherjee, acting registrar of Visva Bharati, “I am directed to inform you that as soon as the central administrative building is sanitized, normal activities including the release of salary shall immediately be undertaken.”

CBSE syllabus reduced by 30% for classes 9 to 12 this year

Although, the core concepts will be retained, which means that the class 11 students of political science will not study about federalism in the Constitution this year. Political theory sections on citizenship, secularism and nationalism have also been removed.

Chandigarh: Parents against reopening of schools this year

District Education Officer Alka Mehta said, “It is clear from the feedback we have received that parents do not wish to send their children to school under any circumstances for the next few months, or until things settle down completely.”

Online education: Expert committee submits final report to Karnataka government

The expert committee set up by the Karnataka government has submitted its ‘Guidelines during Covid-19 pandemic for technology enabled education and beyond’ to the education minister S Suresh Kumar on Tuesday.

Karnataka minister requests govt teachers to donate 2 days pay to pvt school teachers

The Primary and Secondary Education Minister of Karnataka S Suresh Kumar has requested the government school teachers to donate their two days’ salary to private school teachers, who are in distress during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Parents of students face dilemma over paying school fees in Pune

Parents in Pune, who have freshly enrolled their children in pre-school to Standard I are in a dilemma over the payment of fees. The schools have been repeatedly calling parents to make payments.

Delhi: Low-cost schools fear closure as parents struggle to pay fees

Amidst the Covid-19 imposed lockdown, teachers have remained unpaid for months and schools are yet to receive fees apart from a fee waiver. In the light of this, several low-cost private schools in Delhi, catering to children from lower-middle-class and working-class families are struggling to stay afloat.

West Bengal schools tell parents to provide pay cut proof for fee waiver

A section of parents have objected to the move stating that if schools want to scrutinize their financial documents, they must also make their books of accounts available for parents to check out their reserves and expenses, both before and after the lockdown.

Educators present white paper to Karnataka government

To address the issues challenging the education system today due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, the Alliance of Schools, an informal group of educators in support of online education, have presented a white paper to the Karnataka government.

Telangana HC asks Centre for plan on online classes

The bench further added, “Leave alone two laptops for a tribal family, let it (the Centre) first think of providing two square meals a day to the impoverished families.” It made clear that it wants to first hear from the Centre that why their guidelines do not address the ground realities.

Karnataka private schools on online classes: State moving in reverse direction

The decision to chose the medium of education such as language and other modalities is the domain of parents as per the apex court’s verdict and the state government cannot interfere adding that the government has no control over private institutions.

Chandigarh: Paediatricians suggest keeping schools shut till Aug 15

Dr GV Basavaraj, honorary secretary general, IAP said, “We have taken both the aspects of reopening and closing the schools. What will be the psychological impact on children when the schools are not resumed? And, when the schools start, how to cope up?”

Telangana survey on online classes: 39.6% families don’t have smartphones

Only 4.4 percent parents felt that online classes are useful for children while 70.9 percent felt it is not useful. The children also felt they could not understand online classes and only 3.6 percent students were able to follow them while 68.7 per cent were unable to do so.

CISCE to reduce syllabus by 25% for 2020-21 academic year

It further added that “to make up for the loss in instructional hours during the current session 2020-2021”, the CISCE has worked with its subject experts to reduce the syllabus for all major subjects for classes 10 and 12.

Private school owner in Maharashtra dies by suicide

Aged 34, Mahendra is survived by his parents, a brother and sister. “His marriage was scheduled to take place later in June. I had visited the family. They say he take his life because of the financial crisis,” he added.

NCERT alternative academic calendar for classes 1 to 5 released by HRD Minister

The HRD Minister tweeted, “Launched an 8-week Alternative Academic Calendar for the primary stage today. This Calendar contains detailed guidelines for teachers on the use of technology & social media tools to impart education while the students are at home.”

Kerala HC dismisses PIL against collection of school fees during lockdown

The students submitted that, during the lockdown from March to May, 2020, though the schools were closed and online classes commenced from June 2020, the students have been asked to pay tuition fees from March to May as well.

Maharashtra to reopen schools from July 1 for classes 9 to 12

Maharashtra schools to reopen for classes for standards 9, 10 in schools located in non-red zone areas and junior college for class 12 from July 1, the state government said on Monday. The school will reopen for classes 6 to 8 from August.

ICSE, ISC students can choose to opt out of remaining board exams

The CISCE has notified that students all across India and abroad can now choose not to appear for the pending ICSE or the ISC board exams and instead get evaluated on the basis of their internal assessment marks

CBSE board results expected to be declared by August: MHRD

CBSE will conduct the pending board exams 2020 from July 1 to July 15 which was postponed due to the nationwide lockdown imposed s a result of Covid-19. As per IANS

Most parents support live online classes

An overwhelming majority of parents have been raising concerns over Karnataka government banning online classes for kindergarten and primary class students. They believe live online classes should be continued but with flexibility

Karnataka education dept forms committee to track fake SSLC exam news

The Karnataka Education Department has formed a committee for handling fake news reports and misinformation regarding the spread of SSLC exam 2020. The government may take action against such miscreants by lodging criminal complains against them.

Kerala launches school TV channel for kids without internet access

Since most students of Kerala don’t have access to the internet and are unable to get proper education, the State Education Department has started online sessions named ‘First Bell’.

Should CBSE and CISCE board exams be held?

EducationWorld spoke to a few principals of CBSE and CISCE affiliated schools across the country to find out if they think the board exams should be conducted as per the revised schedule or be cancelled.

#SyllabusForStudents2020: MHRD seeks opinion on syllabus reduction

mid the coronavirus outbreak, the Ministry of Human Resources Development is seeking opinion on reduction of syllabus. People who are interested can give their opinion and recommendations using the hashtag #SyllabusForStudents2020.

HRD ministry begins consultations on reopening schools

The HRD ministry began consultation on Monday with states and other stakeholders on reopening of schools which have been closed since March due to Covid-19 pandemic. In the meeting, chaired by Secretary School Education, Anita Karwal

Telangana and Tamil Nadu cancel Class 10 board exams

During an official meeting convened by the chief minister of Telangana K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday, Rao decided to cancel the rescheduled Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams.

Schools likely to reopen after August 15

Earlier, there were reports suggesting that schools and colleges will reopen in July with 30 percent attendance for students of class 8 and above and younger kids continuing with online classes at home.

CBSE releases notification on exam centres

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released a notification providing complete details on how students can change their exam centres for the pending board exams, eligibility criteria, the process to be followed, guidelines and the deadlines.