Govt school kids to get lessons on EDUSAT, WhatsApp
BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Saturday decided to telecast recorded episodes of the EDUSAT programme for Class X students on Doordarshan from April 20.
Besides, students from classes II to X in government schools will also receive lessons on WhatsApp through the teaching-learning programme Siksha Sanjog from Sunday. The facility will be made available in Khurda district initially and then replicated in other districts.
EDUSAT or Educational Satellite is a communications satellite launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation. It is the first dedicated Educational Satellite that provides the country with satellite-based two-way communication to classrooms for delivering educational materials.
“We have decided on telecasting recorded episodes of online EDUSAT classes available with the Odisha Space Application Centre (ORSAC) for Class X students from April 20 to March 12,” wrote Sanatan Panda, joint director of Odisha School Education Programme Authority in a letter to all district education officers, district project coordinators and block education officers on Saturday.
Telecast of educational videos will be done from Monday to Friday. Two classes will be held, from 11 am to noon and from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm, during weekdays. Subjects like mathematics, sciences, English and geography will be covered over 34 videos.
Students welcomed the idea but said this would not give them a chance to clear their doubts. “Watching teachers take classes on television is good but how can we clear doubts, if any,” wondered Namita Kundu, a Class X student.
Students of Khurda district will also get lessons on WhatsApp from Sunday. “Teachers will upload three videos each day for students of classes up to VIII. Classes IX and X will have four classes each day. Students can watch the videos at their own convenience. They will also be provided with worksheets. We have formed 16 groups, mentored by nine headmasters and nine BEOs. Students can clear their doubts on any subject on this group as well,” said Bandana Mohapatra, district education officer, Khurda.
On Sunday, an introductory class will be held in which students will be told about the WhatsApp classes and their timings. An awareness class on Covid-19 and the lockdown will also be shared with the children.
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