Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' on Wednesday released the alternative academic calendar for higher secondary stage (Classes XI and XII) developed by NCERT to engage students meaningfully during their stay at home due to COVID-19.

"This calendar directs teachers on the use of various technological and social media tools to educate students while they are at home," he wrote on Twitter while launching the alternative academic calendar here.

The calendar has been developed by NCERT under the guidance of the MHRD to engage students meaningfully during their stay at home through educational activities with the help of their parents and teachers. Speaking on the occasion, the HRD minister said the calendar provides guidelines to teachers on the use of various technological and social media tools available for imparting education in fun-filled, interesting ways, which can be used by the learner, parents and teachers even while at home.

However, it has taken into account the varying levels of access of students to different tools and platforms — mobile, radio, television, SMS and various social media. He added that this calendar also gives space to the strategies of reducing stress and anxiety among teachers, students and parents by helping them find positive ways to deal with COVID-19 using online teaching-learning resources and help in the attainment of learning outcomes.

The Alternative Academic Calendar for primary stage (Classes I to V), upper primary stage (Classes VI to VIII) and higher secondary stage (Classes IX and X) have already been released by the HRD minister in April 2020.