Bandhs, rains leave schools little time to cover syllabus for quarterly exams

Hyderabad: Unforeseen disruptions to the school academic calendars, with an estimated 12 days lost due to rain and bandhs, have teachers and parents worried about covering the syllabus given that the quarterly examinations are to be held from October 5 to 11.

To ensure students are adequately prepared for the exams, many schools are considering the possibility of skipping certain units temporarily, with plans to cover them after the holidays, particularly for students of classes 6 to 8.

“We understand the pressure on students to perform well in exams, but with the time lost, it’s essential to make the right choices. Skipping a unit or two temporarily might be necessary to ensure we have enough time for revision,” said Radhika Rao, who teaches social studies and English at a private school in the city.

Other strategies being employed by schools include scheduling extra classes during weekends and extending regular class hours. Additionally, teachers are contemplating reducing the number of assignments and focusing on core topics to ensure students grasp fundamental concepts.

Keerti N., a parent, said, “My child's education is paramount, but I also worry about the added pressure this situation is placing on students. It's crucial for schools to strike a balance between covering the syllabus and reducing stress levels.”

Madhukar Johnson, a school principal, said that although they would depend on question papers from the education department (for classes 6-10), they might have to find ways to compensate for questions on topics that have not been covered extensively.

“We must ensure that students have the opportunity to learn effectively, even in the face of unforeseen disruptions,” he said.