Karnataka seeks 3 exclusive channels on DD network for teaching-learning process

MANGALURU: Karnataka has urged ministry of information and broadcasting to provide at least 3 channels on DD network exclusively for use by department of public instruction. The state government has also sought directive from the ministry to make them mandatory channels for transmission by MSOs and DTH operators while suggesting that these channels be co-branded with DD and DPI as partners and included in must carry list under Cable Act.

Making this plea in a letter to Prakash Javadekar, minister for information and broadcasting, S Suresh Kumar, minister for primary and secondary education said TV has been considered as one of the best suitable media for home as learning centre of students in this challenging period. As per a survey carried out by DPI on availability of various ICT infrastructure including TV, mobile and smartphones, more than 95% of households in Karnataka have TVs.
Suresh Kumar said accordingly, DPI decided to continue the teaching learning process through TV media in Kannada medium. Noting that Karnataka has government schools in 9 regional language including Kannada, English and Urdu, Suresh Kumar said to cater to the students and considering long term strategy to run the schools by maintaining social distancing, Karnataka is in immediate need of minimum three exclusive channels for this process.

Suresh Kumar reminded Javadekar that he with officials of DPI already have had discussions with local officials of Prasar Bharati and they have assured to provide the department with six hour time slot of three hours each in existing DD channel – Chandana on cost basis. Process of content creation by teachers internally is on. Since the government is facing hardships to meet capital expenditure in present time, the ministry must help the state out, he said.