Hyderabad: Amid the coronavirus pandemic, digital divide is affecting education as most of the schools across the nation have made online classes mandatory.
Besides loss of employment, country is facing the worst of its challenges in the educational sector. The non-availability of digital device is not just an issue in the rural areas but even the middle class parents are being affected by it.
It is becoming absolutely difficult for many families to buy smart phones or tabs for their children in order to help them study online. In most of the cases internet connectivity remains a matter of concern.
“WhatsApp groups were set up as per the directions of the Department of Education. In it we send homework, instructions, and suggestions. Students are asked to do homework and send the photos of their task. The parents have to sit with the children if their ward is in primary school," a parent told ETV Bharat.
He further informed that there are many students who can't afford television and smart phones because of which they are not being able to understand their lessons.
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"Initially I went to the neighbour’s house for two or three days and listened to the lessons on their Television. However, this wasn't available at all times," son of a daily earner explained.
Another student of Karimnagar district of Telangana said his father is a coolie and mother is bedridden. “My father's earning is not enough to pay for my mother's medicines and to support the family. Owing to the financial crisis, I wasn't being able to study. I started doing the work related to sand mining for a month and later bought a smartphone worth Rs. 7,700 so as to afford online classes," the student added.
Reportedly, over 1,91,768 students have been attending the classes through smart phones and laptops, as per the statistics of the education department. However, the number has recently spiked to 2,19,285 which is an increase of 27,517.
