Hybrid Learning Push Amid Energy Crisis: Govt Weighs Online-Offline Schooling Model
A decision on conducting online classes for school-level students, considering the global energy crisis, will be taken at a Cabinet meeting. Education Minister A. N. M. Ehsanul Haque Milon disclosed this information to journalists on Tuesday morning, March 31, following a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
He said, “We have discussed promoting online education. We will present a proposal on this matter at the Cabinet meeting. It will then be discussed in the Cabinet, and a decision will be made.”
Responding to various questions from journalists at the Secretariat, the Education Minister stated, “This is a global issue, not limited to Bangladesh. We do not know how long this crisis will continue. Therefore, we are considering introducing a system where classes can be conducted both online and offline. For instance, if there were five days of classes a week, we have already lost several classes due to Ramadan holidays and various movements and disruptions. Now, we are making the school week six days. Within this framework, we are considering both online and offline methods due to the energy crisis.”
Referring to a survey on class delivery methods, the minister said, “We have already conducted a survey. According to the findings, 85 percent of respondents prefer shifting to online. However, if we move entirely online, we may become unsocial. We are carefully considering this issue.”
Meanwhile, Additional Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Atikur Rahman Rumon, said that the meeting also discussed ways to ease traffic congestion in the capital during school hours and explored possible alternatives. The Prime Minister has instructed the ministry to prepare and present a proposal in this regard.
He added, “For example, it has been observed that at a school in the capital, around 100 vehicles gather in front of the school for just 150 students, creating severe traffic congestion. Students face difficulties reaching their educational institutions. The Prime Minister has advised the minister to find alternative solutions addressing these issues.”
DBTech/SH/MUM/OR
