Thiruvananthapuram: Parents are often more worried about academic examinations than their children. This academic year has been even more stressful to not just parents and students but also to teachers as schools have been shut over the COVID-19 pandemic and all are trying to cope with the alternative virtual classes.
Adding to the worries over backlog of lessons, the authorities in Kerala have rejected a call on at least reducing the syllabus for the all-important class 10 and 12 final exams on the lines of Central Board of Secondary Education.
A section of teachers and parents have pointed out that studying the entire lessons through digital classes would be an additional burden for the students.
The latest decision to increase the daily virtual sessions broadcast by the KITE Victer's edutainment channel for class 10 and 12 students in Kerala from Monday has also not gone down well.
Only about 50 per cent of the lessons have been reportedly completed for Standard 10 and only 40 per cent for Plus Two.
"We are not intending to cut down on the syllabus," Kerala education minister C. Raveendranath had clarified the other day.
"The strength of the foundation in each subject provides the impetus for higher education. If the syllabus is reduced, the foundation will be affected. By studying the full syllabus, students of Kerala will be able to excel in the entrance examinations at the national level," he reasoned.
The education department aims to finish the classes by January through a new schedule. However, the teachers say it is not practical.
Considering the backlog, parents and teachers feel that a reduced syllabus for annual examinations would ease the burden on students.
Many parents and teachers have complained that making the children sit for digital classes for two months continuously and that too without a holiday will add to their mental stress. With many students also occupied with coaching for entrance examinations and regular tuition, they could end up without time even to relax.
There is still no clarity on how the practical classes would be completed. The education department will be able to decide on the matter only if schools are opened partially. The annual exams will also get delayed accordingly.
Portions completed for standard 10: