27% Central school kids have no phone, laptop to access classes

A recent government survey of students has found that about 27 per cent of students don’t have smartphones and laptops to access online classes amid the Covid school shutdown. But among those who do, most find online learning either “joyful” or “satisfactory”, although mathematics and science are the toughest to learn.

Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2020

Key-Points

The survey, conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), covers 18,188 students studying in CBSE-affiliated schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs).

According to the findings shared by the Education Ministry, as part of its ‘Students Learning Enhancement Guidelines’, about 33 per cent felt online learning was either “difficult” or “burdensome”.

Significantly, among those who are able to access online classes, the survey found that almost 84 per cent rely on smartphones to access online classes. Laptops, a distant second, are used by about 17 per cent while TV and radio were the least used for online learning.

According to the survey, about 28 per cent of a total of 35,000 students, teachers, principals and parents cited intermittent and lack of power as a major hindrance.

In order to support students with no digital device or limited access to one, the guidelines suggest capacity building of teachers.