Daily Times

The tribal students have failed to get advantage of the online classes’ scheme initiated by the government to ensure that their studies don’t suffer because of the coronavirus lockdown.

Five years back, the forces had suspended 3G and 4G Internet services in the merged tribal districts due to security reasons.

It is to be mentioned here that after threat of spread of corona pandemic, like other parts of the world, the government of Pakistan also suspended all state-run and private education institution on March 14th, 2020 till May, 31, 2020.

The education ministry of federal government in immediate step to carry on the educating process of the children launched online classes through Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) from 6am to 8pm from 1st grade to intermediate classes.

Shamsul Haq, a 10 class science student of government high school, Muhammad Khan Kalley who was unaware of the online classes, commenced by the government said that unavailability of 3G,4G and Wi-Fi Internet, he could not enjoy the facility.

If the situation was remained the same, the course could not be covered that would suffer in the time of exam, he said, adding that in the absence of Internet facility, the government should prefer other traditional learning methods to save their future. A senior and awarding wining government teacher, Arshad Ali Afridi said that online education was passive learning procedure that was not considered ineffective one as the students could not ask direct question.

He said that keeping in view dearth of Internet, unscheduled power off, low financial status of children etc. less than 2% children of tribal belt would get advantage of it, to resume their studies. He added that adopting precautionary measures in educational institutions, the students of the merged districts could resume their studies.

Faizullah Shainwari, father of 7th grade student in army public school said that launching online classes was encouraging step of the incumbent government for the learners to exploit the opportunity however maximum number of students in Landi Kotal would not be benefitted of plan as 3G and 4G Internet services had been hanged up for the several years and available landline Internet facility was limited extension.

As per education department and private schools management there are approximately 22600 students from KG grade to 10th grade have been enrolled in government-run schools in Landi Kotal and in the same way round about 30000 to 35000 students are studying in private educational institutions.

On the other hand, Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL) Senior Division Officer Sebghatullah said that 1200 landlines Internet service had been functioning in the area that could not meet the needs of the people.