COVID-19 Lockdown: HRD Ministry forms committee to promote online education

COVID-19 Lockdown: HRD Ministry forms committee to promote online education

1 min read91 Views Comment FOLLOW US
Anupama
Anupama Mehra
Assistant Manager – Content
New Delhi, Updated on Apr 6, 2020 11:15 IST

With educational institutions around the country been shut amid coronavirus outbreak, the Ministry of Human Resource Development has formed a committee to promote online education and avoiding delay in an academic session.

Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' has announced that a committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Professor Nageshwar Rao, Vice-Chancellor,  Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), to enhance, promote the digital education and to give suggestions regarding conducting online examination. 

Earlier on Saturday, the minister held an online meeting with the Vice-Chancellors of all the Central Universities in the country, in the backdrop of the spread of coronavirus. 

During the meeting, an Academic Calendar Committee was also formed, which will be headed by Professor D.P.Singh, Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC). The committee has been formed to discuss the issue related to the delay in the academic session and how to resolve it. 

Many Universities around the country have started running online courses to avoid any delay in an academic session, the minister said.

The meeting also discussed the measures that have to be taken in order to ensure the safety and good health of students currently residing in the hostels along with an academic and non-academic staff of the university. 

The minister has asked all the heads of the educational institutions to make sure proper provisions are there for testing of suspected cases of COVID-19 in the University. He also requested everyone to maintain social distancing, and adhere to all the guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to combat this deadly virus. 

On this, the Banaras Hindu University and Aligarh Muslim University informed the minister that they have created 40-bed isolation rooms facility on their campuses.

The minister has directed all the Vice Chancellors to motivate their faculty and students to use SWAYAM and SWAYAM PRABHA in mission mode and also through other online digital mediums to continue the academic program.  

Read More:

Follow Shiksha.com for latest education news in detail on Exam Results, Dates, Admit Cards, & Schedules, Colleges & Universities news related to Admissions & Courses, Board exams, Scholarships, Careers, Education Events, New education policies & Regulations.
To get in touch with Shiksha news team, please write to us at news@shiksha.com

About the Author
author-image
Anupama Mehra
Assistant Manager – Content

"The pen is mightier than the sword". Anupama totally believes in this and respects what she conveys through it. She is a vivid writer, who loves to write about education, lifestyle, and governance. She is a hardcor... Read Full Bio