Government Schools Directed to Activate Online Classes During Weather-Related Closures
DSE Jammu Orders Schools to Stay Prepared for Hybrid Teaching During Temporary Closures
Offline Classes to Continue Normally; Online Mode to Be Activated Immediately During Weather-Related or Emergency Shutdowns to Prevent Academic Disruption
Jammu, July 26:(KNC)The Directorate of School Education (DSE), Jammu, has directed all Government schools across the Jammu division to remain fully prepared for the implementation of a Hybrid Teaching Model, ensuring that students continue receiving education through online classes whenever schools are temporarily closed due to adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, emergencies, or any other unforeseen circumstances.
According to an official circular issued by the Director School Education, Jammu, offline classroom teaching will remain the regular mode of instruction. However, whenever the competent authority orders the temporary closure of schools in any affected area, the concerned institutions must immediately shift to online teaching for the entire period of closure. Schools located in unaffected areas, including district headquarters and municipal limits, will continue functioning through offline classes without interruption.
The circular emphasizes that schools must maintain constant preparedness for online education rather than initiating arrangements only after closure orders are issued. Every institution has been instructed to prepare and periodically update a comprehensive School Online Education Readiness Plan, identify teachers responsible for each class, establish effective communication channels, maintain digital learning resources, and appoint a nodal teacher to coordinate technical aspects of online education.
The Directorate has further instructed that all Teachers, Masters, and Lecturers should be proficient in conducting live virtual classes, sharing digital study materials, assigning and evaluating academic work, maintaining attendance records, and monitoring students’ progress through approved online platforms. Heads of Institutions (HoIs) have been directed to organise regular orientation programmes, practical training sessions, and mock online classes to ensure teachers can smoothly transition to digital teaching whenever required.
The order also requires teachers to keep lesson plans, presentations, worksheets, assignments, and other syllabus-based digital learning material ready in advance. Schools have been asked to maintain updated class-wise communication networks with students and parents for the timely dissemination of schedules, academic instructions, and study materials.
To ensure that no student is left behind, Heads of Institutions have been directed to identify students who do not have access to smartphones, digital devices, or internet connectivity and make alternative arrangements such as printed study material, telephonic academic assistance, or community-based learning support.
Additionally, schools have been instructed to follow the regular academic timetable as far as practicable during online classes, maintain verifiable records of attendance, teaching activities, assignments, and assessments, and activate online classes immediately whenever temporary closures are announced.
The Directorate has entrusted Chief Education Officers (CEOs) with the responsibility of supervising the implementation of these directions across their respective districts, while the Joint Director (School Education), Jammu will oversee the overall execution of the Hybrid Teaching Model and extend necessary academic and technical support.
The Directorate stated that the initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted learning, minimise academic loss, and facilitate a seamless transition between offline and online education during any disruption affecting normal school functioning.(KNC)
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