Taking cognizance of the problems faced by the students of the mountainous and remote areas in online studies due to the network issues, the Uttarakhand Government is mulling over other methods of teaching these students. The Government has directed the director college education to set up toll free numbers both at directorate level and in all districts to listen and solve the problems of students during this period of crisis.
The State Minister for higher education and cooperatives, Dhan Singh Rawat reviewed the progress of online classes at his office in Vidhan Sabha on Saturday. In the meeting he directed the officials present to explore methods of teaching students residing in the areas where network issue hampers ongoing online classes. To have more discussion on the issue, the Minister has convened a video conferencing session with the Principals of colleges of the state on April 21 at 10 am. In the session, the principal secretary higher education would also remain present. In the review meeting, Rawat directed that every senior officer should be handed over charge of ten colleges each so that the problems of the students can get solved. In the meeting the minister directed that the halted construction works in different colleges should resume soon and for it the work executing agencies should take necessary permission from local administration so that works are completed on time. Rawat also directed the officers to ensure safety of colleges.
It is pertinent to mention here that the colleges and the universities of the state were closed by the state government as a precautionary measure on March 15 .
After some days, a complete lock-down was enforced in the country to break the infection cycle of the dreaded virus which has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which has now been extended till May 3. In such a situation the higher education department had ordered the teachers to start online classes. However due to network issue, the students are facing problems to attend these classes in some areas.
The meeting was attended by vice president of higher education alleviation committee, Deepti Rawat, advisor higher education MMS Rawat and other senior officers of the department.