BENGALURU: In a bid to bridge the digital divide and enhance attendance in online classes, the state government has decided to temporarily convert all 6,000 gram panchayat libraries in the state into educational hubs.
The government plans to improve access to gadgets and the internet in rural areas, especially in remote villages, by equipping these libraries with a steady WiFi connection. Children can come to these centres and attend online classes. This comes on the heels of the government saying it will set up ‘mobile banks’ with the help of voluntary organisations, to help students access online classes.
On Monday, primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar met with chief secretary P Ravi Kumar and advisors to the state government to discuss possible measures to ensure speedy resolution of the issue as the new academic year is scheduled to begin next month. The discussions revolved around service providers increasing mobile towers in remote locations of the state.
Kumar told the chief secretary that deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan and the IT-BT department had already held parleys with private mobile network providers to increase their capacity by installing towers and that an action plan was being prepared.
While the state government has been trying to address mobile network issues in remote and hilly regions of the state, it is still falling woefully short of ensuring all children have access to the internet to attend online classes.
At the meeting it was decided that the government will look at the possible option of using the libraries at 5,766 locations. Since all libraries, besides the local GP office, are connected under the BharatNet project, the government is looking to install devices to ensure children who have no access to the internet or Doordarshan can come and learn at these libraries.
Talks are in the advanced stages and the education department is holding parleys with rural development and gram panchayat officials who have ownership of these libraries.
