No clarity on start of new academic year for CBSE, ICSE schools in T : HSPA

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad School Parents Association (HSPA), on 11 September, sought clarification from the Telangana government regarding the commencement of the new academic year for CBSE, ICSE, and International General Certificate of Secondary Education(GSE) schools in Telangana.

The state government started online classes for the state board schools from 1 September. The classes are being broadcast through digital platforms and televisions.

“On 24 August, the school education department of the state announced that online classes for students in Telangana will begin from 1 September. We would like to know if the same is applicable for schools registered with the Telangana government and following CBSE/IGCSE/ICSE curriculum?” asked Seema Agarwal, the president of HSPA in her letter to the Special Chief Secretary, Chitra Ramachandran.

HSPA members said that due to lack of information and clarity regarding the commencement of the academic year, parents from different schools are facing several issues.

On 21 April, the Telangana government had ordered schools to collect only monthly fees. The parents, however, alleged that schools are manipulating the fee structure and collecting additional fees. “Even after the government order, the schools do not provide a break up of the fees even when parents ask for it. Instead, schools are manipulating the fee structures and putting pressure on the parents to pay the fees for the whole year,” said Seema Agarwal.

Meanwhile, on Friday the Telangana school education department said online and distance learning classes will continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.

The government also said that 50 per cent of teaching and non-teaching staff can attend schools and colleges at a time for online teaching, telecounselling, and related work. This applies to areas outside the containment zones only and will continue from 21 September.

In its order on 24 August, the government had said that all teachers will attend schools regularly and prepare e-content and lesson plans for the students.