Kinnaur: As the number of coronavirus cases continues to make new records across the nation, the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh is reeling under pressure to adapt itself to the new normal.
After the nationwide lockdown came in force, schools and colleges transposed to home-schooling by way of providing virtual classes. However, it has become a challenge for people living in rural areas to access the internet.
Locals have complained about the poor connectivity and lack of basic resources to make educational ends meet.
"We were asked to attend online classes soon after the coronavirus-lockdown kicked in. Since then it has been one of the battles for us to be able to study with ease. We don't even get 3g speed in our village. With 2g connection it becomes exceptionally difficult to play a video or even browse a web page," a student of Charang Khas village in Kinnaur said.
In view of coronavirus pandemic, a wide array of public and private service has been suspended countrywide. Parents across the state are worried as the government is failing to provide tools of online education across various places, a villager exclaimed.
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"I don't understand the government's stance, why are they even promoting online classes if there is no internet in the first place. If one goes to the villages situated at high altitude, they will know the brutal truth. Governments have just been making promises" a guardian said.
According to local people, there are many areas including the border areas of the districts like Kuno Charang, Ropa Valley, Hongo Chuling and Chitkul where one can't even avail the internet facility. Moreover, parents fear prolonged hours on-screen might cause various health ailments to their wards.
District administrative officials also believe that poor internet facilities are becoming a hindrance to online education. Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Kalpa Major Avninder Sharma stated, complaints of poor internet facilities are being received continuously from remote areas of Kinnaur district. The administration is working to resolve the issue and efforts are underway to provide internet accessibility even in the remotest areas.
