Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 9: After a committee of experts formed by the government to go into the intricacies and desirability of holding online classes submitted its report, the high court (HC) has given its green signal for online education. With this, there has been an air of confusion everywhere.

After the proposal to conduct online classes for all age groups was opposed by parents and the students alike, the education department had issued an order, cancelling online education to primary schools.

The committee of experts formed to go into the issue had submitted its report to the government on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the HC observed that online education happens to be the fundamental right of the students and cancellation of these classes will tantamount to snatching away the right to education vested with the people under the constitution. The HC had adjourned hearing after issuing directions to the government to file objections if any within four weeks.

The interim order issued by the HC has given rise to a new kind of confusion. As per the judgement, private schools hold online classes. As there is no clarity on the part of the government on the issue, 57,000 government and aided schools where 65.56 lac students study, now run the risk of being deprived of online education.

Government's stance

After there were complaints from parents of small children about online education, the government had issued orders on June 15 and 27. One of the orders stopped holding of online classes for pre-primary schools and barring the schools from collecting separate fee for these classes from the parents. As the issue concerns the mental health of the students, the government had formed a committee of experts to go into the issue. The committee report and interim order of the HC have been received. The report has not said that online education is not desirable. It has opined that online education as a temporary measure is needed. It also has recommended for imparting offline education too. But private schools continue to impart online education. Now the situation has become murky with the report and HC order.

Education minister S Suresh Kumar has said that the government has not taken any decision on reopening of schools so far. He has advised parents and students not to unnecessarily worry. He has asked them not to rely on rumours till the government comes out with its official stand in the issue.