‘I want to help my students but I am unable to reach out to them’

Not to mention the students, some parents or families do not own a single mobile phones.

ByLichanbeni

Updated 6 Jul 2020, 7:26 am

Representational image (PHOTO: Pixabay)
Representational image (PHOTO: Pixabay)

When online classes took off to facilitate continuation of education during this COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, things changed for the better for those few privileged students who have access to internet facility and devices needed for it but for a few more, it was a heavy burden for their parents who are daily wage earners. 

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I called up parents of the students and informed them about the online classes. However, many of their wards could not attend the online classes, mainly because they have no smartphones. Listening to the stories of the poor families were heartbreaking moments. Not to mention the students, some parents or families do not own a single mobile phones. 

It may be hard to believe that there are still people in this digital era who have no access to simple colour mobile phones. But there are many such. 

At first, it took me by surprise. Some of my students who are from far-flung areas gave me their guardian contacts in the same village or the numbers of their distant cousins because their parents have no phones. Thinking how they are going to attend online classes deeply troubled me. Many are unable to attend online classes. Even to contact them is difficult as their parents have no phones. 

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Now, their assessment exams will begin next month. But these students already have lost a month of class and will still miss more. 

I want to help my students but I am unable to reach out to them. I am just a private teacher with a meagre salary with which I could hardly run my family. I have been deliberating to initiate a small crowd funding and share this with like-minded people to share whatever we possibly could. Either your old unused phone which could download Skype or WhatsApp or in kinds. Let us share our hearts and help build someone's future.

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First published:

Tags:

COVID-19 lockdownsmartphonesonline classdaily wage earnerse learninginternet

Lichanbeni

Lichanbeni

Lichanbeni is school teacher, Dimapur and former Associate Editor of Baptist News, CBCNEI

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