Chennai: Only one in five government schools in Tamil Nadu has internet facilities.
Of the 37,579 government schools in the state, only 6,746 schools (17.9%) who have internet facilities, the integrated district information system word for plus education (Udise +) for 2019-20 was released last week.
The report comes when Internet facilities have become one of the basic requirements for learning because of online education modes during the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, more than 80% of government schools have computer facilities and most of them are functional.
Among 12,382 private schools in TN, however, 90% have computers and 75% have the Internet, reports issued by the Ministry of Union Education.
Overall, from 58,897 schools in TN, 32% of schools have internet facilities higher than the national average of 22%.
In Kerala, 88% of government schools have internet facilities.
“When the school reopens after the pandemic, the internet will be one of the basic needs for schools such as water and toilets.
Both teachers and students will need facilities for hybrid teaching and learning modes,” said Shyam Sundar, director of the project, forum for children friendly schools.
It is possible that teacher training will be fully online after pandemic and all schools may require access to high-speed Internet.
“The state government must ensure computer access and the internet to 100% school.
This will help bridge digital divisions among rural and urban students,” he said.
Experts show that the revised textbook for class I to XII is embedded with a QR code that can take education outside the classroom and help students learn the concept through simple videos.
But it will depend on the Teacher’s cell phone.
Educational activist B Oliver said the computer-related course must be part of the school curriculum for elementary school students and the government can enable limited internet use for all students.
“Computers are only used for data entry purposes in government and secondary elementary schools,” he said.
Officials from the school education department said all 6,029 high and high schools have been given to hi-tech laboratories with computers and internet connectivity.
“The state government tries to provide internet access to all students by creating a group of schools.
Nodal schools will have computers with internet access,” said an official from the Department of School Education.