Bhubaneswar, April 3. In collaboration with the UN Children’s Emergency Fund, the Odisha government has launched an online mo protiva (‘my talent’) competition for children in the 5-18 years age group to keep them engaged at home during the emergency Covid-19 nationwide lockdown.

Children’s entries under separate age categories are invited in painting, slogans writing, short stories, poetry and poster design competitions based on two themes — ‘being at home during lockdown’ and ‘my responsibility as a young citizen during Covid-19’.

Details of the online competition are available on www.sportsodisha.gov. in/www.wcdodisha.gov.in.

Tripura digital learning initiative

Agartala, April 19. With the academic calendar disrupted and board exams suspended because of the national lockdown following the outbreak of the corona pandemic, education minister Ratan Lal Nath announced the automatic promotion of classes I-IX and XI students to the next higher class. Simultaneously he announced the launch of virtual classes for government school students.

Online classes for all government school students up to class XII have been introduced via 14 local cable channels, the minister said, adding that pre-recorded classroom lectures are available on Youtube under the title of Tripura Shiksha Bandhu.

Meanwhile evaluation of answer papers of class X and XII students who have completed the schoolleaving exams of the Tripura Board of Secondary Education, will start on April 24 in 13 high security centres, he added.

Haryana mental health helpline

Chandigarh, April 9.  Haryana’s higher education ministry launched a 24×7 helpline number for students experiencing postCovid stress and mental health issues. Over 180 psychology teachers will counsel students through the ministry’s helpline.

Launching the helpline from his residence in Jagadhri through video conferencing, education minister Kanwar Pal said the service was started as “a guiding agent” for the state’s 350,000 students in higher education. “Most are from lower-middle class and economically underprivileged households and cannot afford private psychiatric counseling,” he explained.

Delhi CBSE’s new subjects

New Delhi, April 7. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce three new elective subjects — design thinking, physical activ ity training and artificial intelligence — for class XI students from the academic year starting June. This was announced by Biswajit Saha, director, training and skill education, CBSE, at a press conference.

“The objective is to make new generation students more creative, innovative and physically fit, to keep pace with the global developments and requirements of 21st century workplaces,” said Saha.

Rajasthan digital learning task force

Jaipur, April 10. Governor Kalraj Mishra has constituted a task force to prepare a roadmap for digital learning in the higher education sector following the national lockdown declared on March 24.

“The task force chaired by the governor’s secretary Subir Kumar will hold online meetings and  prepare a roadmap for examinations, results and the schedule of the new academic year,” according to a Raj Bhavan press release.

Chhattisgarh doorstep education initiative

Raipur, April 7. Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated an online Hindi medium ‘education at your doorstep’ initiative of the state government to ensure learning continuity of children in government schools.

“The facility will continue to operate even after the lockdown is lifted. Currently, class I-X students will be covered by this programme. Eventually it will be expanded for students up to class XII and for college and universities as well. Students of other Hindi-speaking states are welcome to make use of it,” said Alok Shukla, principal-secretary, school education.

“Within days of its launch, hundreds of teachers and students have enrolled while over 150 videos and other digital resources have been uploaded,” he added.

Uttar Pradesh YouTube classes

Shahjahanpur (UP), April 10. To maintain learning continuity of children in classes IX-XII in state government schools in the aftermath of the Covid-19 nationwide lockdown, the district administration has taken responsibility to deliver lessons through YouTube.

District Magistrate Indra Vikram Singh said that together with senior officials of Shahjahanpur district, he has volunteered to teach students online through the audiovisual medium. Directives have been given to the DIOS (District Inspector of Schools) to ensure students of all government schools in the district access YouTube classes during the lockdown, he added.

Paromita Sengupta with bureau inputs