Schools retain online class groups that started during the Covid pandemic

Online class groups that started during the Covid pandemic have been retained by many schools and are used as a platform to communicate with parents and send out notices to them.

The online groups are convenient for sending out last-minute notices, said school principals.

During the Covid pandemic, the primary purpose of these groups was to conduct online classes.

Such classes are over but schools, having realised the benefits of the groups, have decided against disbanding them.

“Sending out notices is easier (through those groups) and we have direct contact with the parents. The parents, too, can post a message to the group if they need any clarification,” said Father Francis Jimmy Keepuram, principal, St Lawrence High School.

Notices for holidays, early dispersal or exams, consent forms for parents — several schools are sending them through online class groups.

“If a notice needs to be sent that the school will remain closed the next day, we can do so the previous evening (through the online class groups) and everyone gets to know about it. Since there is a class group, it also rules out the possibility of any last-minute rumours. Parents can easily check the online group,” said Father Keepuram.

If there is a rally, parents share messages among themselves the previous day through the groups on whether the classes will be suspended or end early.

Several schools use the class groups for posting class work or sending out homework to students.

“Technology is something we became heavily dependent on during the pandemic and we have made it our strength. We will not junk it just because the pandemic is over, but make the most of it,” said Koeli Dey, principal, Sushila Birla Girls’ School.

Just before the puja vacation, the school had an event where 300-odd students had participated.

“Many of the students missed regular classes because of the rehearsal. The class work was posted to the group. At times, teachers took online classes, too,” said Dey.

While regular online classes were suspended after the Covid pandemic ended, on some occasions a few schools briefly reverted to online classes.

“If a teacher has to make a last-minute change to the timetable, he or she can post it the previous evening. Some teachers also post extra study material to these groups and those can be accessed by all students,” said Rodney Borneo, principal, St Augustine’s Day School, Shyamnagar.

For the junior classes, teachers click a photo of the class work and post it to the group, making it convenient for parents to go through the text or work done in class.

“It provides more transparency. And if for any reason a child is at a disadvantage and could not complete the work, the parents have a back-up,” said Borneo.