DIMAPUR, JULY 1: The Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) today encouraged schools to take measures/interventions to mitigate learning loss of the students due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had disrupted the education system and increased the disparity in the teaching and learning process.
It said all the efforts put in by the schools to ensure that learning takes place even at that time through digital means were laudable however this was a poor substitute for in-person learning.
The school closures have also imperiled children’s overall well-being and development, not just their learning, it added
In view of this the NBSE has asked the schools to give emphasis on foundational literacy and numeracy as envisaged in the NEP 2020 and said it should be enforced in the schools. It said prerequisite foundational abilities of the children must be developed to help them proceed with clarity and do well in the higher classes.
The NBSE said schools need to intervene and plan strategies to mitigate the learning losses that had happened and as such advised the schools to start remedial classes/teaching from Class V onwards.
Stating that students would need additional learning time to equip themselves with basic concepts, which would help them overcome the loss in learning, as they proceed to higher classes, the NBSE said schools can identify and work on allotting additional classes/extended hours to remediate learning loss and to enable the teachers to rebuild the core concepts.
On the lesson plan for teachers, the NBSE stated that teachers would need to prepare themselves in such a way that they can provide a supportive learning environment that focuses not only on the cognitive domain but also on addressing students’ health, psycho-social and emotional well-being.
Schools need to counsel students on mental, and emotional health or well-being wherever necessary, it added.
Focusing on the strengths of the students rather than weaknesses, connecting their school work to something they are passionate about, valuing their efforts, and assisting them in better understanding, are ways teachers can implement to motivate and create an encouraging study environment, it further said.
The Board said schools can introduce after-school classes or supplemental assignments or a mix of classroom teaching and self-study through blended learning to strengthen the basic concepts and topics covered.
It further said teachers should develop and disseminate common class-wise weekly plan of learning and assessment to give more systematic support to students, keeping in mind the slow learners and providing special attention to such students. Accordingly, teachers can prepare class-wise materials like teaching-learning materials, workbooks, worksheets and activity-based materials to ensure continuity in retention, transition and learning.
Children with Special Needs should be given due attention and their varied needs should be addressed, it said.
The Board said schools should also connect and work together with parents to address the needs of students. The plan of action to be undertaken by the schools should be disseminated to parents so that parents can play a supportive role in the education of their children.
It further reminded the schools to ensure that the students receive effective remedial learning and support to recover from the negative impact of the pandemic and improve their overall welfare.
(Page News Service)
