Network issues in K'taka affect education; Chief Minister urged to talk to telecom operators

Primary & Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar on Monday requested chief minister BS Yediyurappa to convene a meeting of telecom operators and request them to beef up network coverage in rural Karnataka as schools have scaled up online teaching in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, but children have not been able to make full use of it due to serious network issues.

Children in hilly regions across Chikmagalur, Shivamogga, Uttara Kannada, Chikmagalur, Udupi, Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts have to walk long distances to hilltops where telecom signals are available to attend classes. These signals too are weak, and children have to battle monsoon rains while attending classes, the education minister said in a letter.

Many schools are stepping up their online classes to ensure children don't fall behind in their studies, and this is going to stay for some more time as children will not return to classes in near future. Roping in telecom operators will also help the government give a renewed thrust to beefing up tech-based education.


Cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty's report on preventing a third wave is said to have made special mention about reopening of schools with adequate precautions. The report will reach the chief minister on Tuesday based on which the government will take a call.

The Department of State Educational Research and Training's studies have revealed about 30% of children have been left out of school due to the pandemic as regular classes are not taking place.