Parents, activists in Telangana seek ban on online classes

HYDERABAD: After the Karnataka government banned online classes for children from kindergarten to class 5, parents and activists in Telangana too are seeking a ban on online classes.
Alleging that conducting online classes is illegal, they demanded the education department to initiate action against schools conducting online classes without prior permission. “My daughter is in KG. I don’t see a point in making her attend online classes. Even if I force her, the classes will be for me and not her,” said a parent, whose children study in a school in Banjara Hills. Parents said that few schools are conducting classes from 9 am to 4 pm and added that the managements should stop treating online classes on a par with physical ones.
Seconding with parents, activists said the schools should stop conducting these classes as they are illegal. “As per RTE Act, schools cannot conduct online classes. If the classes don’t stop, we will lodge a police complaint,” said Vijay Gopal, president, Forum Against Corruption.
Meanwhile, school managements said that as the Centre has directed all educational institutions to conduct online classes, they are not illegal. “The classes are not linked with fees. Parents and students are happy with them,” said V Amarnath, director, Slate-The School, adding that as the state has not banned these classes, they are legal.