New Delhi (NVI): The All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has issued instructions to educational institutions and colleges for the extended lockdown, while warning them against demanding fees from students amid the current situation.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued fresh guidelines with regard to the extended lockdwon till May 3, while informing the ministries and departments on measures to be taken to contain the spread if COVID-19 in the country.
While issuing specific guidelines to colleges and institutions, AICTE said, “heads of institutions have the onerous responsibility of safeguarding the health and associated interests of all stakeholders of their respective colleges/institutions.”
Regarding the payment of fees, AICTE noted: “that certain standalone institutions are insisting that students should pay the fees, including admission fees, during the lockdown.” The Council clarified that colleges/institutions should not insist on payment of fees till the ongoing lockdown is lifted and normalcy is restored. The educational institutes have been directed to display this information on their websites and also inform the students about the revised timeline for fee payment.
The council further said that it has been learnt that various institutions have not paid salary to their faculty and staff members, for the duration of the lockdown. “Certain institutions have terminated the services of certain faculty/staff members,” the Council noted while clarifying that salary and otherdues to the faculty/staff members will be released for the duration of lockdown and also terminations, if any, made during the lockdown will be withdrawn.
Apart from that, AICTE has urged the institutions and colleges to discourage fake news. “lt also advised that any information published on the official website of MHRD/UGC/AICTE only may be relied upon,” it said.
The Council also mentioned the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS) in its guidelines, saying that due to ongoing lockdown and restricted access to the internet, the activities pertaining to PMSSS for the academic year 2020-2021 have been delayed. It clarified that the scheme will be continued as in the past, once the lockdown is lifted. “A calendar of events, laying down fresh timelines will be published in the AICTE website in due course,” it said.
However, online classes for the current semester will be continued during the extended lockdown, the Council said. “A revised academic calendar will be issued by UGC/AICTE subsequently. Regarding the conduct of semester examinations, it is clarified that UGC has constituted a committee for recommending the modalities of conduct of examinations, award of marks and passing criteria in examinations,” it said. The council has advised students to keep watch on UGC/AICTE websites.
As the summer internship may not take place due to the lockdown, AICTE has advised students to pursue internships from home. “ln case the same is not feasible, this requirement may be fulfilled in December 2020,” it said.
Considering the lockdown impact due to restrictions, the Council has advised institutions to allow students of other colleges/institutions in their vicinity to access the internet facility.
“Colleges/ institutions may accordingly permit students of other colleges/institutions to share their campus internet facility. Attendance rule may be relaxed in the light of lockdown and unavailability of good bandwidth in certain rural areas,” AICTE said in a statement.
