GUWAHATI, May 14 - The Government of Assam is contemplating changing the academic year of the State�s school and colleges from January-December to April-March every year, as per suggestions of a task force constituted for the purpose. The current academic year is also likely to be extended till March 31, 2021.
The measure has been suggested to compensate the loss of academic days due to the prevailing lockdown crisis. The government has asked the stakeholders to submit their opinions regarding the issue on the official website of the Board of Secondary Education, Assam, (SEBA) http://sebaonline.org in the link �suggestion on revision of academic year�.
The change suggested by the task force will also be in conformity with the academic year of CBSE and education boards of most of the other states.
A notification issued by the State education department has asked all the educational institutions up to university level to prepone their summer vacation and count it from May 1 to May 31, 2020 instead of July 1 to July 31.
It needs mention that recently Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced the possibility of shifting the academic session and the change in the timing of summer vacations.
The government notification has further mentioned that the distance education service currently being extended by all teachers shall also continue. The government has urged the teacher community to encourage and motivate the students for optimum utilisation of the e-initiatives like Diksha App, Biswa Bidya Assam App and classes broadcast through Doordarshan and All India Radio.
The government is also organising various competitions among students including essay writing, poem writing, short notes for students of Class IX to three-year degree course under the Samagra Siksha Abhiyan.
Students from Class VI to Class XII have been asked to prepare projects on science and innovative ideas, poem writing etc., during the lockdown.
The results of HSLC and HSSLC examinations will be declared on time and digital marksheets will be provided through digital mode. Educational institutions will arrange for admission of students based on the digital marksheets and verification through the result gazette provided by the government. Hard copies of marksheets and certificates will be provided after opening of educational institutions. Admission procedure is to be done online as far as possible, the notification mentioned.
In regard to research studies of students, the government has allowed such students to attend required institutions from June 1 onwards observing all safety norms.
The universities have been asked to adopt alternative and simplified modes of semesters as suggested by the UGC.
