SRINAGAR: The Directorate of School Education Jammu (DSEJ) has directed all government schools across the Jammu division to maintain year-round readiness for hybrid teaching, making it mandatory for institutions to seamlessly switch to online classes whenever schools are temporarily closed due to adverse weather, natural disasters, emergencies or other unforeseen circumstances.
In a circular issued on July 25, Director School Education, Jammu, said offline classes would remain the normal mode of instruction. However, schools in affected areas must immediately transition to online teaching during temporary closures to prevent academic disruption, while institutions in unaffected areas, including district headquarters and municipal areas, will continue regular offline classes without interruption.
The circular emphasises that prepareness for online teaching must be maintained at all times and should not begin only after a closure is announced.
To ensure smooth implementation, every Head of Institution has been directed to prepare and periodically update a School Online Education Readiness Plan identifying teachers responsible for each class, communication channels, available digital resources and procedures for activating online classes. Each school will also designate a teacher as the School Nodal Officer to coordinate technical support.
The Directorate has instructed that every teacher, master and lecturer must be capable of conducting live online classes, sharing digital learning material, assigning and evaluating student work, maintaining attendance and assessing academic progress through digital platforms approved by the Directorate. Heads of institutions have been asked to organise orientation programmes, practical training sessions and periodic mock drills to ensure teachers can shift to online instruction without delay.
Teachers have also been directed to prepare syllabus-aligned lesson plans, presentations, worksheets, assignments and other digital learning resources in advance. The material should be age-appropriate and designed for both high- and low-bandwidth internet connectivity.
The circular further requires schools to maintain reliable class-wise digital communication systems for sharing timetables, joining instructions, study material and official notices with students and, where necessary, their parents or guardians. Schools have also been instructed to regularly verify and update contact details.
Students are to be familiarised in advance with online classroom procedures, digital etiquette, cyber safety, attendance requirements, classroom interaction and assignment submission. Parents, particularly of younger students, are to be sensitised to support regular participation in online learning.
To ensure no student is left behind, heads of institutions have been directed to identify children lacking digital devices or internet connectivity and make alternative arrangements wherever feasible through printed study material, offline learning resources, telephonic academic support or community-based facilities.
The Directorate has also instructed schools to follow the regular timetable as far as practicable during online classes, with age-appropriate session durations and adequate breaks. Heads of institutions must issue detailed class schedules specifying subjects, teachers, timings and syllabus coverage.
Online classes are to be conducted only through digital platforms approved by the Directorate. Where required, schools have been advised to divide large classes into smaller batches or sections to improve interaction and learning outcomes.
Teachers will be required to maintain verifiable records of classes conducted, student attendance, topics covered, learning material shared, assignments, assessments and feedback. These records will be reviewed by heads of institutions and made available for inspection whenever required.
The circular also lays down an activation protocol requiring heads of institutions to immediately notify staff, students and parents of the online timetable as soon as temporary closure orders are issued and ensure that virtual classes begin without avoidable delay. Online teaching will continue until the competent authority restores normal offline functioning.
For monitoring, heads of institutions have been directed to review online classes daily, monitor participation, address technical and accessibility issues and conduct periodic preparedness drills even during normal school operations. Chief Education Officers (CEOs) will supervise implementation in their respective districts, provide academic and technical support and submit compliance reports to the Directorate as and when required.
The Joint Director, School Education, Jammu, has been tasked with monitoring implementation of the Hybrid Teaching Model and providing guidance to schools. Ajay Kumar, Nodal Officer, VSK Jammu, has been designated to provide technical support for implementing the hybrid system.
The Directorate said the instructions are aimed at ensuring uninterrupted teaching and safeguarding the academic interests of students during any temporary disruption to normal school functioning.
