Madurai: When for most of the urban population the online classes are just a device away, the poor students from rural still struggle to attend classes due to lack of basic prerequisites. One such situation is faced by students in Tamil Nadu's Madurai. Despite having the facilities, online education became a choice for urban students but the poor students from Madurai, who are having only one smartphone at their homes are trying to learn from their friends.
"I have been attending online classes through my mother’s smartphone. We won’t get a smartphone if she goes to work. We hear and learn about the lesson through my friends. We ask the government to give us a smartphone," says a student Rajeshwari from a village near Madurai.
Claiming they have to leave the smartphones at home while going to work, parents claimed it's getting very tough and asked the government for some help. "We demand that govt should provide a smartphone or a laptop to the students," says one of the parents.
On the flip side, teachers are trying to fill the gaps in the rural by sending postcards to the students. Also, they are trying their hands-on teaching lessons through radio and apps. They are trying everything possible.
Also Read | Tamil Nadu Extends Covid Restrictions Till July 12 With More Ease - Check What's Open, What's Shut
While students are struggling to attend online classes, with impediments being lack of smartphones, lack of network in remote places, and other factors due to which students are crippled to attend the online classes and due to which a section of students are falling behind in attaining quality education.
Meanwhile, the government plans to frame a new set of rules so that there shouldn't be sexual harassment in online classes like the one that happened with Chennai PSBB students.