Shun education that’s only for the rich
Since independence, the government’s ambitious goal has been universalization of education – making education available to all children in the age group of 6 – 14 – which from 2002 is also guaranteed as the Right to Education. While the government’s success in achieving this ambitious goal is open for debate, what the government has successfully achieved is the creation of deep divisions in the Indian education system.
The divisions are many, for example, ‘Government Schools – Private Schools, ‘English Medium – Kannada medium’. These divisions, though seemingly innocuous, reflect the deep-rooted division in the society between the ‘haves and have-nots’. And this divide is increasing sharply than ever before.
Government schools are almost failing in their attempts to compete with the quality of education offered by most private schools that offer English medium education. Students studying in government schools are finding it difficult to meet the challenges of the real world. The government has for long-neglected the recommendation from experts to introduce a common school system at least till high school. One reason for this is the erosion of values in the concept of education that does not consider schools as temples of learning but as commercial, money-making ventures. Similar to five-star hospitals, five-star schools are being established and politicians are at the forefront to invest in these schools.
That the poor and those belonging to economically weaker sections were deprived of education based on their caste was one of the reasons for the government to set forth on ambitious goals after independence but privatization along with the commercialization of education has ensured that education remains the forte of the privileged few. The state of government schools is pathetic with the lack of students forcing many of them to close down and several existing ones suffering without adequate infrastructure. The challenges and the daily battles that parents, who send their children to government schools as they can’t afford private schools, face are many. At the same time, in the midst of all the gloom, there are also government schools which have received public support and have done wonders and won accolades. But this is a rarity.
In this post-Corona lockdown era that lies ahead of us, the already divided education system seems to be heading for the great ‘digital divide’ – an extension of the divide that already exists in the society - through ‘online education’ which we take great pride in. On the pretext that the Coronavirus might spread widely if schools re-open, online education is being offered and is converting homes into schools. Many state governments are taking huge strides in this direction by implementing online education and making sure that teachers conduct classes online and children attend classes on computers or smartphones and prepare for examinations.
This is similar to how digital banking was offered to people after Prime Minister Modi announced demonetization. But, the concept of digital banking did not reach people extensively as envisaged other than the rich and upper-middle classes in cities who could use technology. However, digital technology has led to a proliferation in online banking frauds. Instead of committing bank burglaries, the fraudsters are finding it easier to loot banks digitally. Now the government has unleashed digitalization to destroy the education system.
The recent uproar over the death of an elephant after being force-fed crackers in Kerala was understandable but our response to the suicide of a Dalit student Devika, in the same state because she could not access the online education system that the Kerala Government has introduced has been muted. This student had to attend online classes on a TV channel but the TV at her house was not working. Her father, a laborer and jobless due to the lockdown could not raise the money to get the TV repaired. Buying a smartphone was beyond their reach. The girl who was intelligent and perhaps feared that her future would be ruined was depressed and burnt herself to death. People who shed tears for the death of the elephant were not moved by the death of this student. Nobody was willing to understand that this was not suicide but murder.
Through her suicide, Devika has shown that the government’s decision to provide digital education is similar to an invitation for mass suicide of students belonging to the poor and weaker sections.
This tragic incident raises several significant questions around online education - access to digital technology without which the concept of online education is bound to fail. In Karnataka alone, only 26 lakh of the 48 lakh families with school-going children have smartphones, and, according to government estimates, about 40 percent of children would be out of the purview of this form of education. At the same time, children may not use smartphones for educational purposes even if their parents can afford them.
Added to this are the problems of malfunctioning smartphones or network connectivity issues. Online education is thus proving to be torturous for children of the middle class and the poor. Only the upper-middle class and the rich would then be in a position to maximize the benefits of online education. For children of government schools though, online classes will remain a mirage.
It is also likely that the move to embrace online education would prove detrimental to the education of the girl child. If homes become schools, it is unlikely that parents will encourage girls to learn as much as they encourage boys. Girls, along with those in the poorer and economically weaker sections, will thus be deprived of education.
Also, the rich and upper-middle-class strata can access different options for engaging their children in sports and cultural activities and not depend on the schools alone. But for the poor and the marginalized, schools are a hub for their all-round development. We should, therefore, make sure that education is not restricted to only the rich and privileged class. Even if there is a delay of two months, academic activities should begin only in schools and not a single child should be deprived of education because of the digital divide.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
