Technology mainstay for NCERT's alternative academic calendar for higher education

Mobile Apps, phones, educational television and YouTube videos are to play a significant role in imparting education to the higher secondary students in the alternative academic calendar unveiled by the HRD Ministry on Wednesday.

The Alternative Academic Calendar, developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) also emphasises on learning rather than testing for scores as teachers look for newer avenues to keep students engaged during the Covid-19 induced closure of schools.

“The calendar provides guidelines to teachers on the use of various technological tools and social media tools available for imparting education in fun-filled, interesting ways, which can be used by learner, parents, and teachers even while at home,” HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said.

He said the NCERT has also taken into account the varying levels of access of students to different tools and platforms such as mobile phones, radio, television, SMS and various social media.

The Minister said the Alternative Calendar will cater to the needs of all children including Divyang children (Children with Special Needs) – link for Audiobooks, Radio programmes, Video programme will be included.

It also suggests to teachers to guide students through SMS or voice calls in case there is no access to mobile internet or television.

Initially, this calendar is prepared for four weeks, which may be extended further. In this calendar, the themes/topics have been selected from the syllabus and are linked with the learning outcomes.

“All the given activities are suggestive in nature, not prescriptive, nor is the sequence mandatory. Teachers and parents may opt to contextualise the activities and do those activities that the student shows interest in, irrespective of the sequence,” an official statement said.