Online schooling: delay after survey and order costs a life

Thiruvananthapuram: Online schooling in the state began with claiming the life of a student who couldn’t afford gadgets.

Blame the delay in implementing actions past the government order and survey that could have helped identify students requiring facilities.

Devika of Mangari Dalit colony in Valanchery, Malappuram committed suicide as she was unable to attend online classes.

The survey by SSK completed by May 15 reported as many as 2, 61,784 students in the state lacking online facilities.

No actions have been taken beyond declaring that alternatives would be arranged.

Authorities failed to understand the mental pressure of students left out of online class might face.

The incident took place in Malappuram district which is having more ill-equipped students in the state.

The goodwill the education department enjoyed over the quality of the classes lasted till the death of Devika.

62,305 students in the district have no facilities for online schooling. And 31,127 in Palakkad, 30, 209 in Kozhikkode, 21,653 in Wayanad: lack facilities.

Thiruvananthapuram 19,571, Kollam 12,359, Pathanamthitta 5,333, Idukki 6,333, Ernakulam 13,032, Thrissur 14,862, Kannur 11,038, Kasaragod 17,871: survey shows.

The order issued on May 29 by Education Department directed all students attended the class and class teachers talked to the students and ensured the same.

In case of any student being left out, headmasters ought to seek the help of PTA, local bodies or Kudumbasree.

But this order has not been implemented, as the education department focused on conducting SSLC  and higher secondary exams.