Online classes no substitute for traditional classroom teaching, say students from Nagaland

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 28 (EMN): While most schools in Nagaland have opted not to reopen yet, the few that are running ‘normal’ classes following the government’s permission have had to make elaborate arrangements to ensure safety of the students as well as teachers.

The vice principal of Fernwood School in Kohima, Linda Sundas, told Eastern Mirror that students have started attending classes, though not compulsory. 

She said that for those willing to attend, each section of the classes can come to school on alternate days, while online teaching is provided for those opting to stay home.

“After each period or class, students are asked to go and wash their hands while the classrooms are sanitised and the teachers are strictly following all safety protocols,” informed Sundas.

Arun Chetri, the headmaster of Stella Higher Secondary School in Kohima, said that classes for students of standard 9 and 10 have resumed with consent from the parents. Higher secondary students are expected to join from October, he said.

Chetri informed that online classes are being provided simultaneously. In the school, all safety guidelines are followed, he assured.

Albert, who teaches economics in a school in Kohima, said that many students are still finding it difficult to access virtual classrooms. He recounted how he had to send ‘offline materials’ to students for other districts who had left their study materials in Kohima.

He expressed hope that the situation will improve and normal classes resume.

[Also read: Some schools in Nagaland reopen after 6 months]

Kilitoli, a class 12 student at CornerStone School in Zunheboto, said that she feels happy going back to school as she can ‘meet my friends after such a long time’.

She shared that online classes were not comfortable for her ‘because many times the network goes off and we don’t get enough materials in our place’.

Network problems are a distraction during online classes and I prefer attending classes at school, she added. 

Chubarenla, a student of Fernwood School in Kohima, said that ‘though online classes are helpful, classroom education is more comfortable’.

She added that classroom learning is more interactive and ‘the teachers can also clear our doubts better’.

Another student from the same school, Chingang said that online classes were convenient for him “because I can study, I can take lessons and understand things at my own pace at home”.

“At the same time, it’s not a complete substitute for the traditional teaching method because honestly, it can never be. The teaching, the lessons that our teachers teach and the level of understanding we get from face-to-face interaction with the teachers in the classroom is far more than what online teaching does for us,” added Chingang.

While appreciating the teachers for providing online classes, he shared how coming back to school after such a long time and seeing the teachers and ‘getting the explanations face-to-face is far better’.

Roshni, a student of Stella Higher Secondary School, Kohima, also said that she prefers classroom teaching because it gives her ‘more chance to clarify doubts’.

Kika Khuju, a class 10 student at CornerStone, Zunheboto, shared how “the past few months’ experience of staying at home and learning was different from classroom learning”.

He highlighted how poor network connectivity in Zunheboto had forced most students to miss majority of their online classes. In some instances, he said, classes had to be cancelled because of network problem.

“It is advantageous for us to have normal classes as we can cover more chapters than in online classes. I can concentrate more and it feels normal to have my teachers clear my doubts in person and not through cellphone or PC,” Khuju said.

The government of Nagaland has permitted partial reopening of schools for students of classes 9 to 12 on voluntary basis from September 21, for taking guidance from teachers in areas outside the containment zones, subject to strict adherence to standard operating procedure.