DK schools switch to online classes as rain holidays continue | Mangaluru News

Mangaluru: With the district administration announcing back-to-back holidays due to incessant rain, certain schools and colleges in Dakshina Kannada have switched to online mode. Currently, some schools are having internal exams and have informed parents about the possibility of online classes if the rain holidays continue.So far, schools have remained shut for more than seven days in the district. According to the weather forecast, the region will continue to receive heavy rainfall in the coming days. The schools have informed that online classes have started for those in high school and above.One of the schools situated near Kulai shared that they started online classes a few days ago, as children are losing out on academics due to rain holidays. “We will continue to have online classes whenever rain holidays are announced,” informed the school’s office.Sr Melissa, principal of Mount Carmel Central School, said that currently, students are having exams. “We have informed the parents that they will be starting online classes if there are rain holidays after the completion of the examination,” she said, adding that parents have responded positively.However, there are some schools that avoid the online mode for a reason—it gives children an excuse to access gadgets. “We have all the facilities required to host online classes; however, we avoid it. The reason is that this gives children an excuse to access gadgets beyond class hours. The parents go to work, and their online activities go unmonitored. Even when we send homework through WhatsApp groups, we specify the time required to complete or copy it down in their notebook,” said Mahesh J Shetty of Bala Vikas English Medium School, Mani.On the other hand, parents have expressed happiness over the district administration announcing the rain holidays well in advance, instead of at the last minute. Allen Rebello, a parent from Nagori, said that announcing it in advance or the night before has helped them plan their next day. “There were days last year when we woke our child early, dressed them to go to school, and received a message only to learn the school declared a holiday due to rain. This year there is a relief,” he said.