COVID-19 lockdown 2.0: AICTE guidelines on ‘online classes and unavailability of internet’

AICTE asked institutes to go on with online classes in the second phase of the lockdown as well. 

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) issued important guidelines for all its affiliated institutes and directed them to follow the same during the second phase of lockdown i.e. lockdown 2.0. On April 14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the 21-day nationwide lockdown until May 3. The start of the second phase of the lockdown further extended the closure of all the academic institutes and suspension of classes in order to control the COVID-19 virus spread in the country.

The nationwide lockdown due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country raptured the educational system. Suspended classes, postponed exams and delayed results affected the ongoing as well as the upcoming academic calendar. In order to continue the teaching-learning process, the educational bodies directed academic institutions to impart education using technology. Online classes, e-learning platforms, virtual classes on social media platforms started emerging. Considering the same process, AICTE directed institutions to follow the same process of teaching and learning during the second phase of the lockdown as well.

Talking about the conduction of online classes and semester examinations, AICTE stated,‘Online classes and semester examination: It is clarified that online classes for the current semester will be continued during the extended lockdown. A revised academic calendar will be issued by UGC/AICTE subsequently. Regarding the conduct of semester examinations, it is clarified that UGC has constituted a committee for recommending the modalities of conduct of examinations, award of marks and passing criteria in examinations. Directions in this regard will be issued separately. Websites of UGC/AICTE may be perused regularly.’

Students and institutes are facing many challenges while following the online education culture. One of those challenges is the internet quality and facility. It is being noticed that many students belonging to the lower economic strata don’t have access to good quality of the internet, or they simply cannot afford to have an internet connection. In this scenario, the AICTE stated, ‘Due to the inability of certain students to access internet services, colleges/ institutions are advised to allow students of other colleges/ institutions in their vicinity to access the internet facility at their colleges/ institutions. Hence, colleges/ institutions may accordingly permit students of other colleges/ institutions to share their campus internet facility. Attendance rule may be relaxed in the light of lockdown and unavailability of good bandwidth in certain rural areas.’

Meanwhile, AICTE also addressed the students who are worried about summer internships and advised them to join online internships and follow the norms of social distancing. In case they fail to do so, they can fulfill the requirement in December 2020.

Considering the ongoing health and economic crisis in the country, AICTE directed all affiliated institutes to strictly adhere to these important instructions, failing which actions will be taken as per the prevailing rules.

Read More: