#Coronafallout in Goa: Now, classes start moving online

Last weekend’s announcement to shut college and university campuses to counter the coronavirus threat has left Goa’s students in a tizzy. While some are still visiting campuses for exams or studies, some have decided to stay home and catch up on some reading or play games! Teachers, meanwhile, are still on campus, altering their lesson plans and assisting students.Farewell and other social gatherings for students are a strict no-no and on Monday, Goa Times visited campuses to capture the mood.
Social distancing, but staying productive
Concerns over the spreading Covid-19 pandemic have kept many students under house arrest as they find ways to stay engaged and occupied. Laban Carvalho, 20, a student at G R Kare College of Law, is staying at home through the week and plans to watch a TV series and read a book. Normally, she would have been chilling with friends or going on road trips. On the other hand, Ved Salkar, 20, a
student at Goa College of Art will spend the next few days gaming and may also go out to meet friends if the situation permits.
Many students have decided to use these holidays to relax, since it’s the end of the semester and their hectic college schedules are over. “I plan on spending my spare time catching up on some shut-eye, working on paintings, completing college work, and focusing on not falling sick so that I don’t have to go back to college and repeat the year, which is more terrifying to me than the coronavirus!” says Janice Ferro, 21 a student of St Xavier’s College, Mapusa. Smitha Vaz, 20 has decided to read a few books and binge on Netflix while she patiently waits for her best friend to come down to Goa.

Projects, submissions, practical exams are still on
Some colleges have shut down completely with no students on campus at all. Alisha D’cunha, lecturer from Nirmala Institute of Education tells us, “We are on campus, but we are not calling students at all. There were submissions that were pre-planned, but we have kept everything on hold.”
Though classes have been suspended, students of some colleges are still visiting campuses for submissions or practical exams. Andrew tells us, “After the clarification, we have a clear picture that lectures are suspended, but the students who have practical exams have turned up. Teachers have to come to college too. I had four events planned, which have been cancelled for now. We may conduct them later, if the situation gets better.” A student from a national management institute in Goa informed their exams are under way, so the college hasn’t shut. “Our exams get over this week, so we will have holidays post that,” he tells us.
Joshua Pereira, 21, a student of PCCE, Verna, visited his college to get some help with his syllabus. He says, “I was at college to get some extra help in my studies and everyone shot me a look the minute I coughed! I am sick but I’m under treatment and it isn’t the virus. Everyone’s scared right now, so I’ve decided to stay home for good!” Joshua has also decided to adopt a dog during this quarantine period.
Students who visit campuses are encouraged maintain distance, sanitise/wash hands and not touch their faces. “Though we have suspended classes, students who have exams and presentations are still coming. Students on campus are requested to be aware of the situation and follow WHO guidelines. The campus is being disinfected regularly,” says Tania Shirodkar, lecturer from SS Dempo College.

Virtual classrooms are the norm
Lecturers have sprung into action and started conducting classes and presentations online, so that the students don’t miss out on studies during the two weeks of lockdown. Disha Mashelkar, lecturer from Don Bosco College, is following a virtual classroom model wherein she is conducting online classes. “We have a software in place where I conduct virtual classes and the students join in from their homes. We conduct regular classes this way, and no one is missing out on any lessons despite the shutdown.”
Andrew Barreto, lecturer from Parvatibai Chowgule College, says they are encouraging students to not come and try to finish off as much as they can online. “We have moved online, including presentations and lectures. Some teachers were already putting up their lesson plans and notes online, but now, everyone is encouraged to do so. Whoever is comfortable with video, is putting up videos, the rest are sharing notes or audio notes. For the class presentations, students have to put up videos and we will have an online discussion,” he says.
Internships and farewells in colleges postponed
Students farewells and internships are also likely to be postponed. Tania says, “We have postponed classes from guest lecturers from other cities. Students have got an offer letter for internships from good companies as well – within Goa and elsewhere, starting April 25. We are yet to get an update about that.”
Mavil Maulingkar, from the student body of SS Dempo College, says, “Our farewell was scheduled for March 25, but now it’s unlikely to take place because of the lockdown. Though it is cancelled for now, we are trying to postpone it to a later date.” Harshal Dessai, a student from V M Salgaocar College of Law who was on campus on Monday tells us, “We are on study vacations, but we are here for a meeting about our farewell party. The farewell is postponed, and hopefully happening.”

Snack shops, cafes around colleges to suffer
The footfall at food joints close to campuses has fallen drastically. Lionel D’Souza, who runs a café close to St Xavier’s College, says, “The shutdown has affected us since 70% of students who would come over have stopped coming. A few students are still coming but now our Swiggy orders have increased quite a bit.”
Rahul, from a food joint outside Dhempe College, says, “We have a lot of students who come here, but from today for the next two weeks, business will be down for us since students won’t be on campus. We stay open though, since a few others who work at places nearby frequent our snack shop too.”
Kapil Kudtarkar, who runs a café opposite V M Salgaocar College of Law, says, “The college canteen is shut, so faculty members and a few students on campus still visit us. We are still studying the situation to understand whether students will continue coming, and how it will affect us. Accordingly, we will reduce the number of items we prepare every day.” Lachhman Manjhi who runs a cafe close to Don Bosco College has says, “A lot of students have stopped coming over now since college is shut. The business is running average at the moment.”