Announcement by Education Minister Uday Samant
Maharashtra Government is planning to start all colleges in the second half of September. Minister for Higher Education Uday Samant stated that looking at the Corona pandemic situation, physical presence of students and teachers, may be allowed after September 15.
The positivity rate in most parts of the state has come down during the last couple of months. Barring a few districts like Pune, Kolhapur and Sangli, most of the districts have achieved and maintaining level-I status. Gradual relaxation in restrictions is being carried out. The schools have also been allowed to open, depending upon the situation in villages and urban areas.
For the last about one and half years the colleges are closed. Conducting on-line classes and examinations was a difficult proposition for the colleges and the universities. Many students, particularly those in merit positions are not happy with the results based on this examination system. Academicians also feel that physical presence and face to face interaction between the students and teachers is necessary. Education is not only providing information, but also inculcating values among the students. This can be achieved only through face to face interaction.
However, Corona pandemic was a natural calamity, which affected this process of teaching and learning. Entire society has to face its ill-effects and find solutions to sort out the methods to overcome them.