NEFPORT ISSUE 41 – JULY 2020
EDUCATION EDUCATION The impact of COVID-19 on education has been huge, especially for developing economies like Nepal. Despite government attempts to prepare for e-classes through various online platforms such as Skype and Zoom; weak technological infrastructure, lack of access to the internet, and lack of basic computer knowledge has left both teachers and students devoid of online teaching-learning experience. Moreover, important exams including SEE, HSEB, and other college and university level examinations have also either been canceled or postponed until further notice. As the pandemic unfolds, there is increased uncertainty over the future of the education sector. International Innovative
Conference Education:
on
The Association of Innovative Education (AIE) Meerut, India and National College Kathmandu (NCK) jointly organized a two-day International Conference on Innovative Education in the capital city. The conference (which was held during the first week of March) was organized to provide platforms to innovative ideas and research works in the education sector. The conference brought together many researchers and academicians from India, Canada, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The major thrust of this year’s conference was sustainable development goals, information and communication technology, equity and equality, pedagogies and inclusive education, well-being and development, environmental issues, and global challenges123. Government rushes to finish school exams amidst COVID-19 scare: As
a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST) had directed schools across
the country to conduct their final examination up to grade IX before March 18. The ministry’s directive came at a time when most schools were trying to complete their courses and squeeze in a brief revision period before the students sit for their final examinations. This decision added pressure on schools to rush through the last bit of the syllabus and conduct examinations quickly124. All educational instructed to shut
institutions down: All
teaching and learning activities at various academic levels were halted as a precautionary measure against the possible spread of COVID-19 in confined and crowded learning spaces. Institutions including kindergartens, schools, colleges, and universities across the country were instructed to shut down as per a decision taken by a high-level coordination committee. The decision came after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Nepal as a high-risk zone for COVID-19 spread125. Schools’ attempt to reopen amidst
the pandemic rejected by the parents: Parents across the nation
demanded schools to be shut fearing the rising number of novel coronavirus cases around the world. While many schools had instituted preventive measures like temporarily canceling assemblies, asking students to put on masks, checking their fever, conducting awareness classes, and refrained from organizing mass gatherings; parents demanded schools be shut down immediately, as they feared the increased possibility of contraction of the virus if they sent their children to school126. SEE examinations postponed and eventually cancelled: A meeting of
high-level coordination committee (organized by the MoEST) has decided to cancel the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) over the coronavirus menace. A total of 4,82,219 students across the country were supposed to sit for SEE this year127. The committee has decided to issue certificates based on internal evaluation conducted by respective schools rather than conducting
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