The Lack of internet and decision of HEC (Higher Education Commission) to conduct online classes is penalizing the students in Balochistan, student rights group have alleged.
According to details, authorities have issued an order that due to the closure of educational institutions in Balochistan, educational institutions across the Balochistan should start imparting education online. However, concerns have been expressed as internet is blocked in various districts of Balochistan including Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Jhal Magsi, Awaran, Kachhi, Washik, Panjgur, Noshki, Kharan Mashkeel, Taftan, Chaman, Qila Abdullah Harnai, Barkhan, Musa Khel, Dukki and Turbat.
This has resulted in students in Balochistan becoming unable to take online classes.
In Balochistan, where literacy rate is one of the worst in the region, the authorities first announced closure of the educational institutions in Balochistan due to Corona Virus, but later government and educational institutions had temporarily reversed their decisions after strong student protests.
However, now the educational institutions have been advised to conduct online classes without taking into notice the issue of internet availability in many areas. This has attracted criticism by student rights groups.
Murrward Baloch, The central Vice Chairperson of Baloch Students Organization Azad, in her statement termed the commencement of online classes by Higher Education Commission (HEC) from 1st June as “injustice and cruelty to the students”, and added that “the state has kept Balochistan backward in the field of education for last 70 years.”
Murwarid Baloch further said that the internet services have been suspended in big cities of Balochistan over the orders of state institutions. Kalat, Awaran, Turbat, Panjgur, Surab, Kolu and other districts are the ones facing suspension of internet services, and rest of the majority areas have not been provided the internet services and facilities of electricity since the beginning. Students of Balochistan and those studying outside Balochistan are currently in their native areas due to the closure of their educational institutions. And these native areas of students do not have the facilities of electricity, and on other hand, the availability of internet service is a dream over there. In this grave situation, the decision of online classes by HEC is a failed educational program and is tantamount to create rupture in educational career of students.
Student rights group Baloch Students Council also condemned the discrimination faced by students of Balochitan in the field of education. In a statement the organisation said that the authorities have taken a decision keeping only the needs of privileged students in view.
“We are not against the advancement in technology or online classes, in fact we consider it a positive step, however, most of students in Balochistan are deprived of internet facility. Therefore, it is impossible for us to continue our education,” Baloch Students Council said.
The student’s council also criticised advice of education authorities to students to freeze their semesters if they are unable to attend online classes. “If the government wants us to freeze our semesters then it is clearly evident that the state wants to imply that education is not for the students of Balochistan and KPK,” the statement read.