Online studies, board pattern change, students witness many changes in 2021

 Shivani Bhakoo

 Tribune News Service

 Ludhiana, December 23, 2021

2021 was a different and unique academic session for school students. While for most of the year they were made to study online, the exams were conducted offline in most of the city schools — private as well as government. Besides, the students of Board classes of major boards — Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) had to take the board exams twice — in November/December and February/March — which was a differentexperience for the students as well as the teachers.

Government schools focus on enrolment

 As the classes were held mostly online, the parents asked the private schools to either waive off the extra expenses or they were not willing to pay the fees at all. As a result the government focused on enrolling new students in government schools. Stress was on enrolling the maximum number of students in government schools.

 While in Ludhiana district alone, 12,071 new students were enrolled from private schools, which make approximately 46.73 per cent of the total enrolment. The total number of students in primary schools was 25,834. Similarly, in Secondary classes, 13,763 students switched over to government schools.

 Enrolment controversy

 While the records of the government schools showed a phenomenal increase in the number of students, many teachers in government schools alleged that this enrolment was just on paper as the classes were being held online.

 Board class students appear for exams twice

 This time, the students are to appear for board exams in two terms. The first term was held in November/December for classes X and XII while second term will be held anywhere in February/March. Mixed response of students has been witnessed over the new pattern.

 Major achievements of government schools

•  Innovative Science labs and Smart Art and Craft Rooms were set-up in many government schools
•  NRIs from USA and Canada contributed in lakhs to build whole new building of Government Middle School, Barmalipur (near Doraha).
•  English Booster clubs flourished in government schools in the district
•  In many schools, smart playgrounds came up.
•  259 schools in district were announced to be upgraded.
•  The library langars had set new records.
•  There were thousands of Facebook likes on activity pages.
•  The NAS preparations were in full swings in both private and government schools and tests were conducted successfully in November.
•  A new revolution was witnessed as students took exams on OMR sheets. 

 Covid cases in schools

 The government as well as private schools reported cases of Covid due causing panic as teachers condemned school managements for starting offline classes without proper precautions. Many private schools switched over to offline classes for small children once again.

 Protest against fee hike

 When many school managements became strict about payment of school fees, protests were held outside several private schools by parents. They wanted schools to waive off or decrease the fee, while schools expressed helplessness as their overheads remained the same. 

 Online functions, events

Last year, most of the events were held online for the students. The major celebrations of Gurpurb, Holi, Janmashtmi, fancy dress competitions, major days’ were celebrated virtually in schools.