Normal academic calendar unlikely next year too, say experts in Telangana

Closed campuses, online classes, delay in completing classes for the academic year 2020-21, delayed exams and results are set to have a cascading effect on the next academic year as well, including admissions and classes.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus followed by the nationwide lockdown imposed in order to contain the pandemic spread adversely affected the academic calendar. Closed campuses, online classes, delay in completing classes for the academic year 2020-21, delayed exams and results are set to have a cascading effect on the next academic year as well, including admissions and classes.

However, in order to fill the gap that crept in due to Covid-19 last year, officials in Telangana have already started planning the academic calendar for 2021-22.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, colleges and universities could commence the classes only in September instead of July. As TS Inter exams 2021 are scheduled to be conducted between May 1 and May 20, the government plans to conduct the common entrance tests only by June.

Talking about the delays in the academic calendar, the conduct of exams and more, Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) Chairman Papi Reddy said, “We expect a delay of nearly three months in the academic calendar. It is going to take long before we actually go on to the normal academic calendar that existed in pre-Covid-19 times.” Grappling the delays caused by the pandemic in the academic calendar, colleges admit that it is indeed a race against time.

Telangana Pharmacy Colleges Association president Dr K Ramdass said, “ This year, most universities have decided to give only four to seven days of summer holidays as against 30-45 days every year. All efforts are on to ensure the gap is filled this year so that the next academic year can commence on a much smoother note.”

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