Virtual classroom is okay but can't be compared to physical classroom: ARSD Principal

COVID-19 has hit the education sector tremendously. With the major shift from physical to online classes, not only students have suffered academically but also the teachers who have to learn the whole new method of teaching. In an exclusive interview with Shiksha, Gyantosh Kumar Jha, Principal, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, speaks about the various challenges faced by the college to avoid any academic gap and how it was able to deliver quality education.

Here are the excerpts of the interview:

Q.  How you are planning to proceed this academic year as the pandemic is far from over?

A. We have already started the online classes for 4^th Semester students. For the first year, once the admission process is over, we will review the COVID-19 situation and will take the decision to reopen the campus for physical classes accordingly. If the situation is not cohesive to start offline classes, the college will continue the online classes. The college will also provide the students the ID and password to attend the online classes. To make it hassle-free the college will also organize a series of workshops or orientation programmes for students to accommodate them with online classes.

Q. The shift from the physical classroom to online education was tough for both students and teachers. Do you agree?

A. Yes, it was indeed difficult. Last year, it was difficult for students to understand or attend the online classes as they were not used to this mode of education. They were used to physical classrooms and with the introduction of online classes, it was very difficult for students to accept the shift. However, this year, we feel it won’t be as challenging as it was last year. Because all the students who will be joining the college from this year, have been attending online classes for the past one and half years of the COVID-19 pandemic.  So, it is nothing new to them. Moreover, by now, our teachers have become pro with the virtual mode of education and have been imparting quality education every day.

Q. Is Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College providing any digital devices to students to help them attend the class hassle-free?

A. ARSD College have been providing and this year too will be providing free laptops to students who are in need. Students are advised to contact the college authority in case they don’t have any digital devices and require any help from us.

Q. How has COVID-19 affected the functioning of the college and university as a whole since March 2020. And what steps have been taken to bridge that gap?

A. When the lockdown was announced in 2020, and the whole academic session was shifted to online mode, we started uploading academic modules and syllabus on our websites. We also provided study material to our students through WhatsApp, email and other modes. Students were also asked to contact their concerned faculties and teachers in case of any doubt.

We are conducting online classes and from time to time we are organizing workshops for teachers and students to help them with this new shift in education. Though we have done everything to help students to accommodate this new norm, it is still not the same as the physical classroom. In a physical classroom, students get a chance to interact with teachers, students, but with online classes that are somewhere lagging. There are certain limitations of virtual mode. If a student is coming to the campus he/she can participate in several extra-curricular activities, sports activities, they can move around the campus, etc. However, they can’t do the same while sitting behind their screen and attending classes virtually. There are several students who have joined our college last year and now are in 2^nd year, they have still not seen the college. This is something that is missing in online classes.

However, even with these challenges, the teaching-learning process was not hampered and has improved in the past one and half year students have not suffered any academic loss.

Q. Is college planning to provide any scholarship or fee exemption to students who have lost one or both parents due to COVID?

A. Last year, we have given fee concession and exemption to students to help them continue their education. And this year too, we will be providing fee concession to those who have lost their one or both earning parents. Last year, we have provided fee exemption to almost 300 students. This year too we are planning to provide. Last year, almost 10 lakh fee exemption we have given to students as financial assistance to them.

Q. Will, there be any increase in the fee structure this year? If yes, which all courses?

A. No, there will be no fee hike this year in any of the courses.

Q. DU Admissions 2021 registration process for Undergraduate courses is underway and the cut-off is expected by October 1. Do you feel the cut-off will relatively be higher this year compared to last year?

A. This year too the cut-off is expected to go higher and it is difficult for us too to decide the cut-off as not only CBSE but in other boards too students have scored really good marks.

Q.Are there any students from Afghan at ARSD college. How is the college planning to help them in this time of crisis?

A. We do have some afghan students but most of them were attending classes from their hometown since last year as the campus was closed. However, we are trying to connect with them. And, the college will provide them all the assistance they require to continue their studies further.

Read More:

• Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College Courses & Fees 2021
• Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College Admission 2021