How HSE Will Change After COVID-19
Higher Secondary is highly important in a student’s academic growth as it offers the basic education that he/she must have before entering into graduation and other higher studies. It forms the basic foundation on core subjects such as science, maths, etc. which are essential while pursuing further degrees. The quality of education in India has increased leaps and bounds over the years. States in India now offer some of the best school education systems in the world with Southern state Kerala providing the best quality among large states as per NitiAayog’s SEQI (School Education Quality Index). Karnataka is another of the lot. These states have a well-defined structure of higher secondary education with proper course timings, structured exam formats and results published in time at websites such as Kerala HSE Results 2020 and Karnataka 2nd PUC Results 2020.
But with the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the world is at a halt with all the sectors including education staring at an uncertain future. A lot of changes are expected, therefore, especially in the course structure of outgoing students such as Plus Two, with the inclusion of technology to counter such situations in the future.
How Technology Can Save Education During The Current Scenario?
The advancement in technology today is such that education has become easily accessible to anyone and everyone. Students are able to attain high quality certificate courses over the internet tutored by professionals. With the current situation of lockdown due to the global pandemic known as COVID-19, the educational sector is at a standstill with students having no idea whatsoever about their future. Outgoing students such as the Plus Two are in even more danger as most of the exams are postponed. They are at the risk of losing a year at a time when each day is highly important. But technology will be able to help out at these conditions. The government can decide with the help of educational boards to conduct online classes where teachers will be able to tutor the students on the concepts. Exams can be made online rather than adopting the traditional way of pen and paper. There may be doubts regarding the authenticity of such exams as there will be no real-time control over the students who will be able to cheat easily. But this is not the case. There are various technologies available to counter such practices such as the use of a Safe Exam browser which prohibits the use of anything else while the exam is being conducted. Webcams can be used to monitor the students taking the exam. For those who do not have a computer or internet facility, a mobile exam facility can be created that abides by the rules of social distancing while helping the students to take their exams. The results of the exam can then be published as usual online as in AHESC Result 2020.
The government can also take measures to provide certificate courses that improve the skills of the students sitting idle during these times. Thus, they will be able to acquire even more knowledge and come out of the lockdown as much more employable with additional skillset. These practices can be continued for the coming years also to improve the educational field.
How The NitiAayog SEQI May Change After The Current Scenario?
The School Education Quality Index aims to bring more focus to the educational sector by helping the states identify their strengths and weaknesses and take necessary corrective measures and policies to improve the state of education. In the large states category, Kerala, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat makes the top five as of now. The results of these states can be obtained online from Kerala HSE Results 2020, Karnataka 2nd PUC Results 2020, etc.
Manipur tops the list of small states followed by Tripura, Goa, Mizoram, and Nagaland making the top five. Among the Union Territories, Chandigarh leads the top five packs followed by Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Delhi, Puducherry, and Daman & Diu.
A total of 30 indicators were taken carrying a total weightage of 965 marks on which the schools were ranked. These indicators can be broadly divided into two categories namely Outcomes (Learning outcomes, infrastructure & facilities for outcomes, etc.) and Governance processes aiding outcomes (student & teacher attendance, administrative adequacy, training etc.) Uttar Pradesh is the least ranked among large states and results can be checked at UP Class XII results in 2020. Assam fell just short of the top five and is ranked 6th among large states. Results can be checked at AHSEC Result 2020. Arunachal Pradesh is the least ranked among all the states.
All of this statistic came before the global outbreak of the coronavirus. Now it will be subject to major changes after the ongoing situation. The handling of education by different states during the lockdown periods will be studied. One of the key factors identified will be what the state governments provided the students to keep them fresh and updated during the tough times. The indicators will be changed in correspondence to these factors. Hence, major changes are expected to the SEQI when the next report comes out.
Therefore, it is to be taken seriously and technology should be used to counter the situation. It will also be helpful to maintain the flow of education and not let it go standstill if such situations arise again in the future.