14th April 2020: Dr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman of Higher Education Commission (HEC) is coming up with different strategies to resume educational activities online as schools, colleges, and universities have been closed due to COVID-19 countrywide.
Incase, the lockdown is extended till June, universities will shift the courses to LMS. An agreement has already been signed with telecommunication companies to offer data bundles to university students at cheaper rates.
Face-to-face teaching is halted at all educational institutions across the globe after the Coronavirus pandemic. Countries with resources and capacity have opted for the online education system. Pakistan should move towards online classes until circumstances become normal in line with the approach the developed countries have opted for during the current situation. Coronavirus has badly affected the education system not only in Pakistan but across the globe.
HEC recognizes issues at hand that is lack of online system, faculty training, electricity, connectivity and internet coverage. The authority seems to have a plan to address all problems as of now.
8th April 2020: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has announced a brilliant scheme for all the students. As most of the population is working from home and students are now taking online classes, HEC announced on its official Twitter account that it is working with the telecommunication companies to offer data bundles to university students at cheaper rates.
HEC said that it is working with several mobile operators to provide students cheaper internet access to all their educational resources and online classes.
Announcing the Taleem Bundle, here’s what HEC Pakistan had to say in a series of tweet:
5) Taleem Bundle: we are working with the mobile operators on a data bundle that will give you internet access to educational resources at a MUCH cheaper rate (yes, your online classes too!). Stay tuned for more info.#TaleemBundle #ImproveOnlineLearning#KeepLearningPakistan
— HEC Pakistan (@hecpkofficial) April 6, 2020
In another tweet, HEC was also mentioned that they’re trying to solve all the other issues faced by students such as electricity issues, students living in remote areas, having access to laptops and smartphones etc. Here’s what they said:
There are a few things that we’re still figuring out:
-How can we help students in remote areas?
-What about students that don't have a laptop/smartphone?
-How can we make data free?
-How will assessments/exams take place?
-What about grades?
-What if the electricity goes out?— HEC Pakistan (@hecpkofficial) April 6, 2020
Stating how students are their number one priority, HEC said that it has been closely working with universities to set up proper systems for online learning to make things easier for students. And for universities lacking proper systems, they have been asked to temporarily suspend their online classes.
2) Learning Management Systems: We are helping Universities set up proper systems for online learning. If they do not have a functional system, they have been asked to #SuspendOnlineClasses! #ImproveOnlineLearning#KeepLearningPakistan
— HEC Pakistan (@hecpkofficial) April 6, 2020
What do you think of HEC’s decision? Let us know in the comments below.
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