Students in Odisha Struggle to Attend Online Classes; Walk Miles, Climb Trees for Network

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Odisha School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash on Saturday stated that due to poor internet connectivity in the state many students have to walk miles, climb hills and trees to attend online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister informed that around 22 lakh children are currently availing e-education in the state, while the remaining 38 lakh students are deprived of the facility due to non-availability of mobile network in their areas.

Students Face Difficulty In Attending Online Classes

As per sources, students in Rayagada district walk miles and climb hills to attend online classes, the pupils in Sambalpur and Deogarh districts climb high rise water tanks for getting net connectivity.

On the other hand, a report from Angul and other districts said children have to climb trees to get an Internet connection for attending online classes.

State Education Minister’s Take on the Issue

Regarding this subject, the education minister of Odisha has said that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has taken up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for expanding net connectivity in remote areas of the state.

"I am happy that my department has been imparting online classes but children have to climb trees, hills to get network connectivity. This is a central issue and our Chief Minister has taken up the matter with the Prime Minister for expanding net connectivity in remote areas of the state," said Samir Ranjan Dash, Education Minister of Odisha.

"Had there been no online classes, the reports of children climbing hills and trees would not have received. I am happy that our teachers are taking online classes,” he further added.

A plan has been proposed by Samir Ranjan according to which teachers will visit areas where there is a poor internet connection and teach the children at their homes.

Reopening of Schools

On Reopening of schools, the education minister stated that the government has no immediate plan for reopening of schools in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.

The central government has closed all schools till August 31. As per sources, the centre may ask states to take decisions on school reopening in September.

However, as per the current situation in the state, no judgement can be made whether schools will be reopened next months.

Apart from this, the minister said that committees have been formed to reduce the syllabi of schools as three months of new academic session have already been passed. The revised syllabi will be finalized next week.