Thiruvananthapuram: As an unprecedented academic year is set to enter the last stretch, the Kerala education department has decided to conduct more digital classes for classes 10 and 12 in order to finish the portions of the prescribed syllabus by January 2021. More time will be allotted on the dedicated TV channel for schools, viz,, KITE Victers, for these classes from December.

Normally, the topics are completed by December and revisions are held from January for higher classes. However, as is well known, the the educational institutions remain shut owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and virtual classes known as ‘First Bell’ are being held for both school and college students in the state. But now teachers have to hasten the schedule considering the lag in finishing portions as per the regular pattern.

Now, three classes are being streamed for students of standard 10 and 12 daily for one-and-a-half hours. Only if this duration is doubled can the portions be completed by January. Accordingly, the time table for the ongoing virtual classes would be rearranged in such a way that priority would be given for those subjects that are lagging behind.

Though the education department has announced that it was ready to reopen schools, the government stance is that a decision can be taken only after the COVID-19 situation is under control.

As the number of COVID-19 cases has begun to decline in the state and across the country, authorities hope to start the classes for at least 10 and 12 standard students by January. However, these plans would be scuttled if the COVID-19 cases increase after the local body polls in December.

No decision on annual exams

No decision has been made about holding the annual exams so far. As the state assembly elections are likely to be held in April, the exams can be conducted only in March or May. Questions also remain over how to conduct the practical exams. As no exams have been conducted so far this year, a recommendation has been made to conduct model exams before the annual exams usually held in the summer. Also, no talks have been held so far over conducting exams for other classes.