According to a survey conducted by the Telangana State United Teachers’ Federation (TSUTF) on online classes about 39.6 percent families in the state do not have smartphones. One smartphone was available with 48.9 percent families and only 7.4 per cent families have two smartphones for two children.

Besides, 14.8 percent families do not have even a cable TV connection to allow their children to watch lessons on government educational channels and only 36 percent schools have TV sets among which 10.4 percent of the shools’ TV are not in usable condition.

The Telangana survey on online classes was conducted between June 22 and 27 in 1,868 villages in 489 mandals covering all 33 districts in Telangana state. TSUTF took feedback from 22,502 parents and 39,659 students among which 17,282 parents’ wards were studying in government schools and 5,220 children were studying in private schools.

Only 4.4 percent parents felt that online classes are useful for children while 70.9 percent felt it is not useful. The children also felt they could not understand online classes and only 3.6 percent students were able to follow them while 68.7 per cent were unable to do so.

Only 11 percent parents who have mobile phones said that mobile data was sufficient for them and their children while another 30.3 per cent parents said it was not sufficient for them. About 58.7 percent parents do not have mobile data and 93 percent of parents demanded immediate reopening of schools with precautions.

The survey report was sent to Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. The TSUTF urged the government to start classes 9 and 10 first and to provide tablets and smart phones free of cost to students who have sufficient mobile data. It also added that all schools should be provided computers with internet facilities.

Source: The New Indian Express

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