*My comment is purely based on the assumption on your premise that prelims will be postponed to beyond June*
1. I agree with your suggestion that SFG like programme for optional could be highly beneficial especially amidst the postponement. It keeps us focussed and via piecemeal approach ensures that after 30 days (assuming thats course of the programme), substantial portion is covered if not entire.
2. But looking at it from ForumIas perspective, beginning SFG like programme for optionals they do not currently have faculty for (like PSIR) can be challenging especially from cost perspective (setting timetable, questions, correction, discussion etc). But they can certainly try it out for other optionals like Sociology, Anthropology and History.
My suggestion :-
1. SFG like model can work for Ethics and Essay.
1a. It can cater to wider audience (helps students and institute)
1b. Portion of ethics and practise of essay is feasible to be fairly completed within 30 days
1c. These 2 subjects are most benefitted by crowd sourcing method, as it provides wider perspective.
1d. Getting answer writing practise in these 2 will make it much easier for us if mains preparation time is reduced. And if not reduced, it will help us focus on GS during that time.
1e. 3-4 times a week ethics paper, with 2 case studies and 5 Part A questions
1f. Twice a week essay.
Thank you for your feedback. I understand that there are multiple challenges in starting such a program for optional. And the final call would be taken only after thorough analysis of economic and logistic work ability of the program by ForumIAS team.
But we can at the most provide them primary data regarding the demand of this course.
Your idea of ethics and essay is also very suitable as it would surely reduce our work load during pre mains interval.
@Hayagreeva has suggested an awesome idea of implementing AWFG( Answer writing focus group). It is quite feasible.@forumiasacademy should give a thought over the same.
