Kerala’s ‘Tele Classrooms’: No Lockdown On Academics
Shilpa Surendran
As the angst caused by COVID-19 poses a threat on the various branches of economic and social life across India, the question of uninterrupted academics is hardly noticed. In the path of resistance and recovery, SFI has pledged to meet the academic and creative concerns of the students across the nation. When various ‘lockdown challenges’ ‘trend’ on social media, with the motive of entertaining the stultified masses, there is also a rising concern about the obstructed courses of studies for students. The idea of ‘Tele-Classroom’, instituted by the Kerala State Committee of SFI is functioning as a productive solution to the worries of thousands of students across the state of Kerala.
Kerala, being the state that reported the first COVID-19 case in India, had been under awfully chancy conditions with the mounting number of cases initially in the country. The LDF-led state government on March 23rd declared a statewide lockdown to prevent the spread of the pandemic, followed by the declaration of nationwide lockdown on 24th March. The sudden shutdown of educational institutions has left students throughout the country clueless about the future of their academic courses. Heading towards the end of semesters, there are worries regarding the completion of syllabi, as well as approaching examinations. The concept of ‘Tele Classrooms’ addresses the above mentioned concerns in an effective manner by providing academic aid through the app called Telegram, directed by various university sub-committees of SFI, following the directions of the state govt.
This campaign was initiated by Malappuram District committee of Kerala, with just 5 courses. In a few days, the number of classes extended to 24, offering 13 courses, with more than 13,000 students. Currently, this campaign has been taken up by 4 state university sub-committees, polytechnic sub-committee and LAWCOZ sub-committee in Kerala. The Tele Classroom of the Kerala University sub-committee was inaugurated by Finance Minister Dr. T M. Thomas Issac, who has appealed to students to join the classroom. Classrooms of the Mahatma Gandhi University, Calicut University and the Kannur University sub-committees were inaugurated by Dr. Sabu Thoman (VC MGU), Sri. A K. Balan (Minister of Cultural Affairs, Kerala) and Prof. Gopinath Ravindran (VC Kannur University) respectively. Higher Education Minister of Kerala, Dr. K T. Jaleel inaugurated the classroom for the Polytechnic sub-committee. Various bachelor degree courses are being offered, which deal with the 2nd and 4th semester syllabi of the respective universities. Classes are being handled by eminent faculties specialised in the offered subjects.
Apart from regular programs, coaching for Kerala Law Entrance Examination is also being provided to aspirants by SFI LAWCOZ sub-committee. Each program is offered in different Telegram channels for free for students, as per proper proper time tables. Currently, 147 Tele-Classrooms are active in Kerala, offering a total of 28 different courses handled by 365 expert teachers. Thousands of students across the state have joined the classroom which the state committee of SFI is looking forward to expand by including more classroom channels.
Kerala, as always, has been successfully maintaining status quo, due to which the state has gained considerable prestige. The evening press conferences of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan never end without throwing light on educational issues. The state govt. has propounded the idea of online teaching and learning, and has also urged students to go for free online courses offered by renowned universities and institutions. Sadly, the question of academics has, however, vanished from the general concerns of the central govt. As the country keenly waits for directions of the centre, the Prime Minister outshines social media entertainers by assigning various symbolic tasks and hazy explanations. This time too, the Modi govt. has not failed to ignore issues regarding education, from a list of their general concerns that are of course inclined towards communalism and capitalism.
COVID-19 has consumed a mammoth proportion of the world’s human resource leading to instability in every area. Social distancing and sanitising has become the greatest shield for our resistance against this pandemic. Education would be a key instrument for our restoration, and the student community would serve as the vehicle for this idea of progression. While the leaders of the nation are engrossed in telecasting myths, SFI takes up the responsibility to add fuel to the hopes of a finer tomorrow. This initiative by the Kerala state committee of SFI is a notable revolution in the history of educational movements in the nation.
Shilpa Surendran is a student of English Literature at the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, and a Central Executive Committee (CEC) Member of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI). Read Shilpa’s report on Kerala’s public sector education here.
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