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Dimapur, July 1 (EMN): The Nagaland Board of School Education has informed all the heads of schools registered with NBSE that for over two years, there had been a disruption in the education system and an increase in the disparity in the teaching and learning process due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NBSE was of the view that the efforts put in by the schools to ensure that learning takes place even at that time through digital means were laudable, however, this was a poor substitute for in-person learning, stated a DIPR report.
The school closures have also affected children’s overall well-being and development, not just their learning. According to NBSE, the future of many may be at stake and that it was high time to act fast.
“The impact of learning loss due to the pandemic needs to be addressed at all levels by adopting measures to help children to overcome the learning gaps/loss. Having conducted the Mid-Term Examination, schools now have an idea about the learning outcomes of their students, their strengths, and their weaknesses. An appraisal of this needs to be undertaken by all schools to bridge the learning gaps or loss to achieve the learning objectives/outcomes of the subjects”, NBSE said.
In the light of the above, NBSE encouraged schools to take the following suggested measures/ interventions to mitigate the learning loss of the students:
* Emphasis on Foundational Literacy: It is reiterated that the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy as envisaged in the NEP 2020 must be enforced in the schools. As all are aware, prerequisite foundational abilities of the children must be developed to help them proceed with clarity and do well in the higher classes.
* Remedial classes: Schools need to intervene and plan strategies to mitigate the learning losses that had happened and as such, schools are advised to start remedial classes/teaching from Class V onwards.
* Additional classes: Students will need additional learning time to equip themselves with basic concepts, which will help them overcome the loss in learning, as they proceed to higher classes. Accordingly, schools can identify and work on allotting additional classes/extended hours to remediate learning loss and to enable the teachers to rebuild the core concepts.
* Lesson plan for teachers: Teachers will need to prepare themselves, in such a way that they can provide a supportive learning environment that focuses not only on the cognitive domain but also on addressing students’ health, and psychosocial and emotional wellbeing. Schools need to counsel the students on mental, and emotional health or well-being wherever necessary.
* Encourage and motivate the teachers to walk an extra mile: Focusing on the strengths of the students rather than weaknesses, connecting their school work to something they are passionate about, valuing their efforts, and assisting them in better understanding, are ways teachers can implement to motivate and create an encouraging study environment.
* Emphasis on teaching the core concepts and basics with clarity: Schools can introduce after-school classes or supplemental assignments or a mix of classroom teaching and self-study through blended learning to strengthen the basic concepts and topics covered.
* Activity/Assessment: Developing and dissemination of a common class-wise weekly plan of learning and assessment by teachers to give more systematic support to students, keeping in mind the slow learners and providing special attention to such students. Accordingly, teachers can prepare class-wise materials like teaching-learning materials, workbooks, worksheets, and activity-based materials to ensure continuity in retention, transition, and learning.
* Children with Special Needs should be given due attention and their varied needs should be addressed.
* Schools should also connect and work together with the parents to address the needs of the students. The plan of action to be undertaken by the schools should be disseminated to the parents so that parents can play a supportive role in the education of their children.
Thus, schools are once again reminded to ensure that the students receive effective remedial learning and support to recover from the negative impact of the pandemic and improve their overall welfare.