Karnataka: State Govt. Discontinues Vidyagama Scheme Amid Fear of Covid-19 Spread, Check Details Here

The Karnataka Government has discontinued the Vidyagama learning scheme for the time being fearing the spread of Covid-19 among the government school students and teachers. 

On Friday, October 9, 2020, some of the students who attended the Vidyagama Scheme were tested positive in Ramdurg, and Belagavi districts. 

Following this, Some parents and the authorities restricted the teachers from entering the village and blamed them for exposing their children to the contagious disease. As per the reports, nearly 15 teachers were infected within two months. 

However, on Saturday, October 10, S Suresh Kumar, the state education minister declared the decision of suspending the Vidyagama learning scheme for the time being till a new solution is found. 

Read: No Plans to Reopen Schools Anytime Soon during the COVID-19 pandemic, confirms Karnataka Education Minister

Introduction of Vidyagama Scheme 

The Vidyagama learning scheme was introduced in the first week of August 2020, in 43,000 government schools in the state. 

The main purpose to introduce the scheme was to ensure that the underprivileged students in the rural areas aren't deprived of the education, since they don't have the access to online mode of education. 

Although many of the parents including the elected representatives were against the scheme as it promotes the spread of the infection putting the children's life at risk. 

Read: Karnataka PUC Supplementary Result To Be Released In October 

Vidyagama Scheme - A Boon

The Vidyagama learning scheme was a boon to the government students who hailed from the rural areas of the state. 20 to 25 students were able to attend the online classes along with a mentor. Each mentor made sure to visit the students and monitor their progress, at least twice in a week. 

The mentors would interact with the students either in a village community hall or under the shade of a banyan tree followed by maintaining the social distancing norms. 

Lately, The Karnataka State Government launched a TV based learning programme named Samveda which relayed the lessons on DD Chandana. This programme was similar to Vidyagama Scheme. 

Also Read: Unlock 5.0: States to Decide on Reopening of Schools after October 15