Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank presided over a video conference meeting with Education Ministers and Secretaries of School Education Department of all states and Union Territories to discuss various issues pertaining to education sector in the country in the wake of coronavirus.Ramesh Pokhriyal said that the entire country is going through a difficult time due to COVID-19 pandemic which has posed various challenges for the education sector. Ministry of HRD is implementing online education system to to provide teaching facility to the students. Revised academic calendar has been developed in view of the loss of the time due to lockdown by the NCERT. Mid day meal scheme has also been continued during the summer vacation for students. Doordarshan is providing education curriculum content through various programmes with DTH services on 33 channels.Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj while interacting with Union Minister apprised about various steps been taken in the state as per the instructions of the Union government.
He said that distance learning initiatives are being taken up by the department through internet and Doordarshan Himachal. Now, DD Himachal is also available on Airtel DTH at channel number 406. He said 66 percent students from elementary classes and 72 percent students from higher classes are on board in distance learning initiatives.The Minister said that efforts are being made for reaching out to maximum students through All India Radio. The HP Board of school examination has conducted exams for all papers of class 10th and the plan is being prepared for few papers left of plus two standards. The text books have been distributed to all and mid day meal is also being distributed satisfactorily. The State government is also preparing post lockdown strategies for education sector.He urged the Union Minister to give approval to four Kendriya Vidyalayas in the state. He also demanded mid day meal facility for pre-primary classes. He also thanked the Union Minister for providing necessary guidance to the state during COVID-19.Secretary Akshay Sood, Director, Elementary Education Rohit Jamwal, Director, Higher Education Dr. Amarjeet Sharma and other senior officers of Education Department were also present in the meeting.