DSE Jammu Directs Schools to Stay Ready for Hybrid Online Teaching During Temporary Closures; Offline Classes to Continue Normally

DSE Jammu Directs Schools to Remain Ready for Hybrid Online Teaching During Temporary Closures

Offline Classes to Continue as Normal; Online Mode to Be Activated Immediately During Weather, Emergency or Other Disruptions to Prevent Academic Loss

Jammu, July 26: The Directorate of School Education (DSE), Jammu has directed all Government schools under its jurisdiction to remain fully prepared for a Hybrid Teaching Model, ensuring uninterrupted education through online classes whenever schools are temporarily closed due to adverse weather, natural calamities, emergencies or any other unforeseen circumstances.

According to a circular issued by the Director School Education Jammu, a copy of which lies with news agency JKNS, offline classes shall continue as the normal mode of instruction. However, whenever the competent authority orders temporary closure of schools in any affected area, the concerned institutions must immediately switch to online teaching for the duration of the closure. Schools in unaffected areas, including district headquarters and municipal areas, will continue functioning in offline mode without interruption.

The circular states that institutional readiness for online teaching must be maintained at all times and should not begin only after closure is announced. Every school has been directed to prepare and regularly update a School Online Education Readiness Plan, identify teachers responsible for each class, establish communication mechanisms, maintain digital resources and nominate a nodal teacher for technical coordination.

The Directorate has instructed that all Teachers, Masters and Lecturers must be capable of conducting live online classes, sharing digital study material, assigning and evaluating work, recording attendance and assessing student progress through approved digital platforms. Heads of institutions have been asked to organise regular orientation programmes, hands-on training and trial sessions to ensure teachers can seamlessly shift to online teaching whenever required.

The order further directs teachers to keep lesson plans, presentations, worksheets, assignments and other syllabus-aligned digital resources prepared in advance. Schools have also been asked to maintain updated class-wise communication systems with students and parents for timely sharing of schedules, instructions and learning material.

To ensure inclusive education, Heads of Institutions have been instructed to identify students lacking access to digital devices or internet connectivity and provide alternative arrangements such as printed study material, telephonic academic support or community-based learning resources so that no student is deprived of education.

The Directorate has also ordered schools to follow the regular timetable as far as practicable during online classes, maintain verifiable records of attendance, teaching, assignments and assessments, and immediately activate online classes whenever temporary closures are announced.

Chief Education Officers have been directed to supervise implementation across their respective districts, while the Joint Director (SE), Jammu will monitor the overall implementation of the Hybrid Teaching Model and provide necessary academic and technical support.

The Directorate said the initiative is aimed at ensuring continuity of learning, preventing academic loss and enabling a seamless transition between offline and online modes whenever disruptions occur. (JKNS)