Slow internet speed, power cuts, lack of smartphones hinder students’ studies

TNN | Updated: Apr 14, 2020, 11:12 IST

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RANCHI: Students in the state, particularly in the rural areas, are facing difficulties in pursuing their online classes because of various reasons, including poor internet connectivity, power cuts and unavailability of smartphones and computers. Internet Service Providers also admitted that their speed capacity has reduced considerably because of increased user traffic during the lockdown.
However, all schools, colleges and coaching centres across Jharkhand have opted the online route to ensure completion of courses. The institutes are uploading study material and assignments online, with some using third party video-conferencing apps or incoprating video-uploading apps with their own websites.
Ravindra Kumar, a post-graduate student of English at the Central University of Jharkhand, said, “Our department has started online classes but due to unavailability of power and poor data connectivity, it gets harder for me to attend the online lectures. Hence, my teachers are now choosing audio lectures to cope up with the slow speed.”
Harsh Kumar, a Class XI student of DAV Kapil Dev School, said, “My teachers are uploading video lectures, but there is a tussle for the smartphone at home as my two younger sisters also have to go through their video lectures. We have been fighting as to who gets to use the smartphone.”
Authorities of Kolhan University said they have uploaded more than 1,000 lecture videos on their portal for students, but said they accepted the fact that a large group of their students is not able to avail the service. Talking to TOI, vice-chancellor of the university, Shukla Mohanty, said, “Most of our students are from rural areas and do not own a smartphone or a computer. Hence, they cannot go through our lecture videos on our website. We are continuously searching for other modes to reach out to our students so that they also can study. We are now considering to send SMS alerts to those students and to inform them of what to read at least.”