Internet connectivity hurdle in online learning; Center asks for free DD Slots

Poor internet connection is not the only hurdle when it comes to teaching online, there are students who don’t have an internet connection at all. Keeping the plight of such students in mind, Rajasthan Education Minister Govind Singh Dotasra has asked center to provide free slots of Doordarshan for the purpose of virtual classes.

He wrote a letter to Mr. Javadekar and said that many students studying in government schools don’t have an internet connection and as a result they are unable to attend online classes.

He also said that he had requested for one hour slot in All India Radio and Doordarshan but the charges are high. In his letter he asked Mr. Javadekar to provide free slots of one hour daily to Rajasthan Education department for virtual classes.

"1.75 lakh teachers in the state are engaged in the COVID-19 assessment duty. The department is imparting education to students through online live sessions, social media and e-contents," Mr Dotasra has written in the letter.

"All the measures that we have adopted for maintaining the academic calendar, relies on internet and requires smartphones to be accessed. However students in hinterlands are getting affected as their families can't afford such facilities. Many such students are unable to take the online classes," his letter reads.