MHRD issues guidelines for digital learning

The Department of School Education and Literacy, under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, has released ‘Pragyata’ which contains guidelines for digital education to be implemented across states. The new rule-book is drawn from the discussions between the ministry and respective representatives from the states and union territories held on June 8.

The HRD ministry has stated that since there is no clarity as to how long the need for online teaching will continue, states have been asked to design and develop need-based strategies to create appropriate digital learning environments, adopt NCERT’s alternative academic calendar, stream educational content through state-specific TV, radio and other means of communication. The ministry has also asked the states to “curate, develop and use digital resources and tools including Open and Free resources”.

Schools have been asked to develop alternative timetables and



enable access to digital infrastructure for their teachers. As per the guidelines, teachers have been asked to limit the screen time to 30 minutes on alternative days for pre-primary and two sessions of 20-45 minutes per day for elementary and four sessions of 30-45 minutes for secondary and higher secondary level students.

The ministry has also issued guidelines for parents and students on online etiquette and safety and also postures for digital learning.

Lessons are also being provided through radio and TV for students in the remote areas.

The ministry has said that the Diksha portal has CBSE, NCERT syllabus while on E-pathshala and National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER), NCERT syllabus for classes I to XII is available. That apart, Swayam runs courses for students from classes IX to XII and Swayam Prabha imparts lessons for NIOS students in classes IX to XII, the ministry added.