Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Sri Yogi Adityanath recently said that preparations should be made to start new sessions altogether in educational institutions, even while keeping in mind the Covid-19 situation. Since all the board results have already been declared, the admission processes for the undergraduate degree courses at colleges can be started. The state administration is hinting and planning towards resuming colleges/classes from mid-August.
NAAC accredited colleges in Uttar Pradesh, are although set to reopen soon for students, they will still require all those going to strictly adhere to Covid-19 appropriate behavior within the given time. Proper arrangement of sanitizers, infra-red thermometers, and masks are made at accessible points across the school premises; meanwhile, officials are asked to ensure adherence to social distancing among students.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s Department of Education is looking to make sure that the doorway exams for the third-year students at the graduate level are conducted on time, consistent with reports citing officials familiar with the development.
Meanwhile, classes for school kids of high school and at the intermediate level have reopened on August 16, each day after India celebrates its 75th Independence Day. Although the faculties are directed to reopen with 60 percent capacity, the scholars were asked to participate in the Freedom Day celebrations while adhering to necessary Covid-19 protocols.
University Admission Post Covid Gets Tougher
As the coronavirus pandemic has diverted many students aspiring for foreign college towards Indian colleges, the competition for a seat goes to urge tougher. According to a recent survey, a guidance firm, 56 percent of scholars who aspired to review abroad are considering Indian universities as their Plan B.
The students opting for foreign universities may reconsider if the varsity abroad is conducting online/virtual classes. As per the survey, a percentage of scholars were sceptical (23 percent) about the thought, or outrightly dismissed (35 percent) the proposition of online alternatives in such a scenario.
A report suggests, “Indian universities will be experiencing an upturn in applications. The students who were earlier only interested in and applying for colleges overseas, will now also take admissions in many domestic educational institutions as their backups.”
The survey states, 63 percent of students feel their initial career plans are badly hit thanks to COVID-19. Further, 42 percent of students are reconsidering their career choices.
Students also are watching just one career option. Each student is considering around three career options; business management, computer applications and IT, entrepreneurship, medicine, and style seem to be the foremost popular domains. Further, as many as 42 percent of the scholars have opted for online certification courses, whereas 47 percent of the scholars are utilizing this point to organize for their entrance exams.
The report stressed the very fact that students are more concerned about the way to pick a secure and promising career choice and expressed an interest in having access to a career guidance helpline during these times.
Admissions for Fall 2021
Some of the students who have received acceptance letters from college for this year are having to reconsider the choices due to the closed border and a lack of clarity on when things will be better.
Given the narrow window for applications thanks to the cancellation of 10th boards and postponing of 12th examinations, students will presumably need to wait till late July or early August to submit their applications for 2021 batch.
One news to thank for is that foreign universities and institutes are climatizing well to the grim reality and happenings worldwide. Keeping in mind the travel restrictions thanks to the pandemic, most international education providers have started offering alternatives to traditional teachings like live online or pre-recorded lectures, video calls, online tests, and virtual open-book exams until the situation becomes favorable.
There are currently many online courses being offered by NAAC accredited colleges. This means that you simply can enrol and begin your overseas studies from your home country. This provides an honest opportunity to realize knowledge and skills in various available areas which may be useful for both career opportunities and further studies.
Indian students aren’t discouraged by this situation and are watching their education prospects from a long-term point of view.
Certain private colleges like ABES which are also NAAC accredited colleges are planning to go ahead with their schedule giving weightage to the Class 12 board exam marks, given the situation.
Other colleges are considering various factors apart from Class 12 board exam marks such as entrance scores, recommendation letters from teachers, interview performance, the experience of the applicant, their attributes, their performance in their 10th grade, any trends throughout their academic lives, participation in extracurricular activities, special talents and keenness they possess, etc.