Steps to provide free internet to poor will be taken; CM calls emergency meet to resolve connectivity issue

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made it clear in the assembly that online education cannot be stopped immediately. Steps will be taken to provide free internet to the poor. An emergency meeting has been called to resolve the network connectivity issue, he told the assembly.

When it comes to the future of the state, it is important to lay the foundation for the education of growing children. There should not be a digital divide in this regard. We must take necessary steps for it. The steps required for it can be collected through various sources, the chief minister said.

The present problem is of two three types. A section of children in our state are unable to afford online learning equipment. They are facing many problems. When the first wave came, no one thought there would be a second wave. We are now preparing for the third wave. Covid will be with us for some more time. One cannot assure that online education will end so quickly. It is important for students to have a digital device like textbooks.

For those who could not afford it, a decision has been taken to implement assistance using various sources. There is connectivity problem in many parts of our state. A meeting has been called to discuss how to provide connectivity. Importance is for the tribal area. We are examining on how it can be resolved. The chief minister said help from various sectors including KSEB is needed for this.