PROBLEMS faced by students in getting proper education online are set to be highlighted by MPs today under an urgent proposal.
Around 140,000 students “returned” to distance learning as government schools reopened for the new academic year on Sunday. Students have the option to return to physical classes on October 25.
Many parents have said they found it difficult to log in to the clogged government server, were unable to get reliable Internet coverage or pay more for usage, or have no laptops to use Microsoft Teams on.
The Education Ministry has already issued a tender for 10,000 laptops to be provided to students in need and 12 companies have come forward, but no actual selection has been made.
The MPs, led by Mohammed Buhamood, want the Cabinet to intervene fast and ensure that students get their constitutional right to free education without incurring expenses at difficult times due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s heart-breaking to see parents cry in front of my office door or on video calls because they have run out of Internet data, are unable to access classes because the server is under pressure, or their mobile phones do not support actual class downloads from Microsoft Teams app,” said Mr Buhamood.
“It is obvious that parents who are opting to take their children to school don’t have the money or capability for online education and the two-week preparatory trial period should have been done a long time ago,” he added.
“No one questions the ministry’s sincerity and commitment to provide education, but the way it is being done is utterly wrong or basically a failure.
“Schools are not yet ready for in-person classes, but at the same time a proper system of distance learning has not been put in place despite it being around eight months since students were asked to study online.”
Al Asala (Salafi) Bloc president Ahmed Al Ansari said education is a guaranteed right of children and parents needn’t have to beg for it.
“It is too late to issue a tender for 10,000 laptops now when schools have already reopened; it could have made a difference had it been done a few months ago, as instructed by the leadership,” he said.
“Parents cannot afford to pay BD300, on an average, for each laptop for their children with prices soaring due to demand, or pay BD60 a month for Internet besides regular usage.
“Those problems should have been addressed before schools started, not now.”
Meanwhile, MPs will also vote to crack down on computer sale and repair shops cashing in on the Covid-19 crisis by unfairly increasing prices.
The MPs, led by Sayed Falah Hashim, are urging the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry to investigate and carry out inspections.
The urgent proposal calls for action against those accused of spiking prices.
“It appears the prices have gone up as a result of school and university studies going fully online,” said Mr Hashim.
“It has been brought to our attention that laptop prices have suddenly increased by at least 30 per cent, along with charges for repairs and maintenance. In our opinion this is a matter of commercial cheating.”
&uuid=(email))