Online Classes - Parents plight

(Picture Courtesy: Internet)

Should we have online classes for students?  Yes or No? 

These days a heated debate is going on in our country about conducting online classes.  Students don't have regular classes as the schools have been shutdown due to the COVID19 pandemic.  Several individuals/ organizations have even filed PIL in courts with regard to online classes.  In all these discussions the primary focus is on the influence of online classes over the students.  Will the students be able to comprehend it? will the prolonged exposure to mobile/tablet cause eye problems or any other health issues? Will children get addicted to gadgets?   However plight of parents seems to have not been taken into account. 

The online classes for my kids started last week. I am sure you would be facing similar situation and challenges.  For my first son who is 5th standard the classes start at 9:30 and end at 12:00pm.  Totally 3 sessions with breaks were conducted. For my other son who is in 3rd standard the classes start at 12:00pm and end at 1:20.  Totally 3 sessions without any break!

The school insists that parents MUST accompany kids during online classes from 3rd standard to 5th standard.  As a responsible parent I accompany them during the online classes.  Which means  parents have to defer their occupational work for the same duration.  Half of the day is gone in attending the online classes.  Will that end there?   No, the rest of the day goes in looking into assignments and helping the kids to do their home work.   And to complicate matter further, we have one device that need to be time shared between two kids.

In a week, classes are conducted for 3 days.  Which means, on all the three days the parent has to deffer his/her work (WFH) to accompany kids during the online classes and consequently in doing homework.   Many a times it doesn't just sound crazy, it feels like one may go insane helping kids to attend online classes and later helping them to do the home work! 

First of all, work from home (for those who still have jobs) it self is highly stressful to parents, which is taking longer hours than the usual timings.  Over and above the parent has to attend online classes along with kids!  Will the parent able to complete his/her work in stipulated time?  If parents work only 50% days in a week, will his/her employer continue to have the parent on rolls?  Even if the employer continues to keep employee on rolls, he/she may be paid only 50% of the Salary.  Right?

When the parents draw 50% less salary, then how will he/she be able to pay 100% tuition fee to the schools? Why is the Government not instructing the schools to reduce the fee accordingly? 

By the way, why should schools be allowed to collect fees when the schools are shutdown?

1. First of all No jobs or No Salary or Partial Salary.

2. Second, Pay full fees to the schools.

3. Third, Spend on buying Tablets or Laptops and additional SIM card and Data charges. 

It would not be exaggerating if I say it is a three pronged attack on the parents by the educational institutes and the government.  I think both the state government and central government should be held responsible on this issue, as they not yet issued guidelines in this regard.    

Other important points to ponder: 

1. Not all parents technical savvy or IT professionals.

2. All parents will definitely not have Laptops, Tablets or Smart Phones! What about students under RTE quota? 

3. Even if they buy, then need spend from pockets.

4. Will government provide free tablets/laptops to all students?

5. Will government provide free data for online classes?

6. Will government provide monthly pension to all unemployed parents?

7. There are many single parents juggling the work life balance, will government provide a Second parent to all of them so that kids can attend online classes without any hassles??

If answer is NO to points 4,5, 6 & 7, then why government is allowing schools to collect Fees and conduct online classes? 

Hope #PMModiji, #HRDminister, #EducationMinister, #CBSEboard will look into this as soon as possible.

P.S: Kindly note that I am not focusing on the technical glitches or long term Health Hazards or children behavioral issues pertaining to online classes.  Focus here is on the plight of the parent!!