In a precautionary measure following the outbreak of COVID-19 infection in the country, the Cabinet had decided to suspend work at all educational institutions for a period of two weeks starting from Sunday, 01 March. With no signs of a respite in the spread of infections, there have been calls to extend the closure of schools for a further period.
Meanwhile, the Department of Private Education (DPE) at the Ministry of Education (MoE) has published a circular that allows for alternate teaching methods while keeping the safety of students and teachers in mind.
According to guidelines issued by the DPE, private foreign and bilingual schools in the country can continue their syllabus through their e-learning platforms. However, this online interaction between students and teachers are contingent on several conditions, including that the school already having an e-learning platform on which the teaching staff have been fully trained. The e-learning should also be available in a manner that does not necessitate either the student or teacher from having to come to school.
The e-learning plan should also be optional and not mandatory for students, and the plan should list all activities that are helpful to understand and revise the information covered in the curriculum prior to the school’s recent closure. Any matter related to the learning plan organized during the suspension should be postponed until classes resume, or if absolutely necessary, the teachers will be obliged to re-explain them at a later date.
Schools are also obliged to adhere to the revised 2019-2020 school year plans and notify the private education department within two weeks after school resumes. The school would also have to ensure that everyone involved in the e-learning process, conform to public order and discipline and that all regulations of the private education department are fully adhered to. The DPE warned that any violations of the guideline would result in severe penalties for the schools concerned.
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