As another year has begun in the online format, teachers are demanding an academic overhaul to suit current circumstances. According to educators, with no clarity about when schools are likely to reopen, or when things will be back to normal, the time has come to mould academics to ensure minimal loss for students. Starting from reduction in syllabus to different formats of evaluation, many also want the state board to follow the central board’s example of dividing the academic year, especially for the board exam years — Stds X and XII.

It has been a challenging academic year amid the pandemic with the board examination years (SSC and HSC) majorly hit. Already students have suffered huge academic loss due to online learning, and examinations could not be held due to the second wave. While the results of these exams are still awaited; educators, especially those from state board schools, have stressed the need for change. The most prominent demand is the reduction of the syllabus, at least for board exams. It was reduced by 25 per cent last academic year. Many have also talked about the importance of bringing in new ways of evaluation in order to avoid a similar fiasco in future.