Long online classes, 2G Internet impact students’ wellbeing in J&K: RTI Movement

SRINAGAR: Chairman Jammu & Kashmir RTI Movement Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat has alleged that some private schools in J&K, particularly in Srinagar city and other towns, were violating the Govt of India (GoI) guidelines on virtual classes as students are made to go through at least 5 sessions daily which extends upto 2 ½ hrs or even 3 hrs.

“The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has directed the schools not to hold such online classes beyond 1 ½ hrs for younger students” the Movement said in a statement to Ziraat Times.

The RTI Movement has also demanded that 4G internet network be restored across J&K as students, particularly from lower income groups, are suffering and career of thousands of students is at stake.

RTI Movement also said that under the guideline called “Pragyata”, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has recommended that the duration for online classes for pre-primary students should not be for more than 30 minutes. For classes 1 to 8, the HRD Ministry has recommended two online sessions of up to 45 minutes (90 minutes total) while for classes 9 to 12, four sessions of 30-45 minutes duration have been recommended, but these guidelines are not being followed which can cause serious eye problems among younger students.

PGI Chandigarh has already said that students who constantly use phones and laptops develop “Squint”.

“The government must restore the 4G mobile internet in J&K as 90% of the population have no access to the 4G network made available by BSNL , airtel or Jiofiber through fixed line. The ultimate sufferers are the students belonging to lower income groups as there is mostly one smartphone available in such homes and when the father goes for work, the students have no access to online classes even via 2G network.

In areas like Charar e Sharief, Shopian, Kulgam, Kangan , Pattan , Kupwara, Wathora, Chadoora, Gopalpora, Khansahib and many other areas the Jio-Fiber is not providing service and that is another problem for those who can’t afford and such students also suffer a lot.

If Govt is allowing Jiofiber to provide service through fixed lines in many areas what is the problem in not restoring 4G mobile internet, Dr Raja Muzaffar asked.