The school education department has switched to social media to reach out to the students amid the ongoing lockdown to contain spread of coronavirus. The department is using different social media applications to reach out to the students and distribute study material and other study material to “compensate” their academic losses. In this regard, a circular was issued by Director School Education Jammu (DSEJ) Anuradha Gupta instructing officials and teaching staff to streamline and coordinate creation and working of WhatsApp groups at district and school level to establish direct interface with students. “Besides teaching and doubt clearing, activity based assignments can be given to students in an organized manner,” reads the circular. The DSEJ has asked the officials to follow the instructions in letter and spirit. The officials have been asked to chalk out the strategies for reaching out to those students who don’t have access to the smart phones. The department is taking such initiatives in wake of the closure of the educational institutions. Meanwhile, the DSEJ has also instructed officials to create WhatsApp groups at different levels including Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) and heads of the institutions. “WhatsApp groups of teacher in-charges shall be created with students of each class particularly from classes 6th to 12th. For lower classes, home classes/home assignments may be given through parents,” reads the circular. The DSEJ has issued instructions to the officials of the department to consolidate and strengthen the dissemination of the lectures through interactive teaching learning process. The teachers and the heads of the institutions have been instructed to make use of all modern means of technology like Zoom, Video conferencing, telecast though cable network and DoorDarshan. “Daily reporting of the engagements, attendance, topic covered should be shared with concerned higher authorities through the WhatsApp groups,” the circular reads.
