With the number of COVID-19 cases decreasing consistently, the state government has given permission to reopen colleges which remained shut since March 2020.
With the onset of the pandemic, schools, colleges and other educational institutions have remained shut for almost one and a half years and the reopening was further delayed due to the second wave of Covid-19. But the University of Madras' recent move has made a bid for offline classes and methods of assessment. The varsity has decided to conduct all its semester examinations for undergraduate and postgraduate students in the offline mode in January 2022.
Post lockdown, students realize how much they love college, friends and the real classroom atmosphere. The past year has been a challenge for both teachers and students in terms of teaching and learning and various issues such as internet connectivity, lack of concentration, and social media distraction in the virtual classroom proved to be the main challenges.
The college has ensured that staff and students are vaccinated, and that social distancing norms are followed, to enhance the safety of both teachers and students in the offline mode. On the other hand, some students were stressed about resuming offline classes as online classes lasted longer than expected and the transition to offline classes was not without its challenges. Though online classes seemed to be doing great, it alienated some from learning actively and being responsive in class. In order to ease the challenge of transition, students were also given the option to attend classes online till the end of November.
Having well-ventilated classrooms, maintaining social distance, making masks mandatory, adhering to hygiene protocols and striving for complete vaccination in college, are measures that give parents the assurance that their wards are in a safe environment. However, the journey ahead is not going to be easy. While it is a bittersweet journey for many, the new normalcy ahead will need to prioritise a safe space that caters to the well-being of all staff and students of the college.
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