Nepal to Introduce ‘Digital Education’ Amid COVID-19 Lockdown

Even though there are no significant number of coronavirus cases in Nepal, the COVID-19 pandemic has never hesitated to disrupt every aspect of life.

The deadly coronavirus has incited nationwide lockdown, suspension of flights, closure of educational institutions and restriction of public gatherings, among others.

As the nation is reeling under unprecedented lockdown, most of the parents are worried about the education of their children. Many believe that their children should continue their education and learning should not stop even during the lockdown.

In the need of the hour, the Nepali Government has decided to introduce a ‘digital education system’ for educational institutions including schools to continue the teaching and learning process even during the lockdown.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) has submitted a report to the Supreme Court stating that online classes for grades 9 and 10 will be conducted 6 days a week through NTV Plus.

Moreover, the OPMCM has prepared and forwarded the curricula for online classes for grades 6 to 8 to the Curriculum Development Centre.

Meanwhile, some independent private academic institutions have already introduced an online education system for the students to continue learning during the lockdown.

Some of those Educational Institutions include

1) Samriddhi School, Kathmandu

The Samriddhi School has introduced ‘Google Classroom’ to engage students in educational and personal development activities.

The school has decided to start regular online classes and activities for Nursery to Grade 10 from April 24, 2020.

2) Kankai Adardha Campus

The campus has decided to start online classes for the students, starting with MBS first semester students from April 23, 2020. Four teachers will conduct the online classes in the morning and evening, two classes in each shift.

Online classes for other students will be started upon analysing the given situation.

3) Vibhuti Bidhya Mandir, Bhadrapur-10

The institution has already launched the teaching activities for their students through videoconferencing.

4) Softwarica College of IT and E-Commerce, Kathmandu

The Softwarica College of IT and E-Commerce has already introduced free online courses regarding computer, IT and business for its students.

The courses include Cyber Security Learn A Thon, Mobility Fundamentals, Cybersecurity Essentials, Introduction to IoT, Introduction to Packet Tracer, PCAP: Programming Essentials in Python, NDG Linux Unhatched and NDG Linux Essentials, among others.

5) Kantipur City College (KCC), Kathmandu

The college has started online classes for various subjects including journalism for students including-

• First and third semesters of Master of Computer Application (MCA)
• First and third semester of Master of Arts in Mass Communication and Journalism (MAMCJ)
• The first semester of Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application (PGDCA)

6) Lumbini Buddhist University

The university has started online classes for students of all levels and faculties from 8 am to 10 pm from April 19, 2020.

So far, the Nepali Government has reported 45 coronavirus infection cases. However, the government has been continuously implementing measures and policies to protect and support people during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

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