Jammu: Asserting that numbers of complaints are received from various sections of the society expressing concern towards the practice undertaken by few private institutions, Directorate of School Education, Jammu, has warned such institutions to ‘strictly adhere’ to duration for online classes.
As per order issued by the Director School Education, Jammu, Ravi Shanker Sharma, read, “Number of complaints from various sections of the society like parents, noted academicians educationists, health experts and NGOs have been received expressing serious concerns towards the practice undertaken by few private institutions who are compromising with the health of kids by over exposing them to online screens and other electronic gadgets for longer durations, which may have serious repercussions for their physical and mental well-being.”
In this context, the order read that the managements of the Private institutions are once again warned to strictly adhere to the duration for online classes as notified in the guidelines/orders referred above. “Any violation shall be dealt with strictly in accordance with the provisions as contained in J&K School Education Act and the guidelines of Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation Department,” it read.
The order further read that the Chief Education Officers of Jammu Division are invited from the Administrative Department regarding issuance of detailed guidelines for conducting teaching learning process through virtual mode across J&K UT for strict adherence by the concerned authorities/HoDs (Govt / Private schools).
“The instructions are based on guidelines notified by the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India on Digital Education (PRAGYATA) encompassing the time duration for classes ranging from pre-primary upto 12th standard,” it read.
“The guidelines were issued keeping in view the on screen exposure of children for longer duration, being detrimental to the health and mental wellbeing,” it read and further said, however, contrary to the guidelines a number of private institutions are resorting to conduct of longer duration classes in blatant violation, thus compromising the health of children.
“The CEOs being the controlling officers at District Level shall have the primary responsibility of monitoring through ZEO’s and cluster principal in their jurisdiction of any such violation and taking the on-spot action besides recommendation to higher authorities,” read the order.
Further, the CEOs shall also simultaneously conduct a survey involving the students and parents of private institutions for their feedback and review with regard to the conduct of online classes and violation if any, it read.
UNI
