Manipur University begins Online Classes during COVID-19 lockdown period

The different departments of Manipur University have started online classes for the students. However, it has been reported that the students who live in remote areas of the state are finding it difficult to attend the classes due to poor network connectivity. Classes in Manipur University along with other educational institutions in the country have shut down classes due to the COVID-19 situation in the country. 

Professor WC Singh, Manipur University in an order issued on April 2, 2020, has asked the students and the teachers of the university to download and install the Zoom App or Zoom Cloud Meeting on their laptops or smartphones for the online classes. 

The students were asked to provide their departments their individual email ids. Head of Physics Department, Professor Basanta Sharma while speaking to the media said that teaching science subjects while compared to arts subjects online is different as science subjects need to draw up diagrams and also explain scientific theories by using mathematical formulas and calculations. 

The registrar also added that the time slots provided 40 minutes although it has been extended to one hour due to the technical issue especially due to the disruptions in live streaming and sound. 

Head of Chemistry Department, Professor O Mukherjee added that most of the students have stated that poor internet connectivity, especially in rural and hill areas, is a problem in the interaction process. He pointed out that in Chemistry and Physics, online classes cannot reach the level of satisfaction compared to humanities as they particularly require explanation based on mathematics calculations, drawings, symbols, molecular structure, formulas, etc. 

Professor Sonia Wahendbam, Assistant Professor of Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, however, has welcomed the online classes system stating that it provides engagement to both the teachers and students during the lockdown period. She also added that the practical problems faced by the students include limited data packs since most of the students run out of data as the online classes consume a lot of data.

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