The reigning coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on all walks of life, and education is one of its prime victims. The way syllabus and the process of examinations were tailor-made during the turbulent times of infection were exceptional. This has adversely impacted the learning skills of students, especially those who were gearing up to appear in public examinations. Curtailing of school hours, scrapping of compulsory subjects and the state getting benevolent to provide grace marks and promotion to next classes are a tale to be told! This should come to an end now, and the process of judging the skills and academic talent of students should reverse to normal. It will not only usher in confidence among hard working pupils, but also enable the competence of our otherwise compromised education system to at least get back on the track.
The federal education minister’s synopsis to roll back the discretion and get real is on the spot. It is a good omen that academicians and provincial educational peers are on board too. The education system after a process of trial and error during the pandemic needs reorientation, and it is a must that all stakeholders usher in their professional input. Students, too, should shrug off the lenient blanket that they adored during the peak of infection, and come back strongly into academics.
It is, however, a positive aspect too that the tough days underscored the need for learning digital tools, and millions of backward students managed to glimpse through what technology is all about. The national television’s special transmission and the out-of-way efforts of many of the schools to disseminate online classes are highly appreciated. A special thanks also goes out to teachers who not only pooled in extra hours to be online with their pupils, but also took the pain to report compulsory attendance during the pandemic.
With the infectious syndrome getting normal, and universal vaccination underway, it’s time to restore the balance. Ensuring SOPs during travel and in classes, students and teachers should come forward to overcome the deficiencies that had set in during the last two years in the learning process.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2021.
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