If "studying on a mobile phone" was indeed the answer, why did privileged students study on a laptop?
Why were parents rushing to buy them laptops?
We all know a mobile phone, for all its wonderful features, is a poor substitute for a laptop for education.
But we're dishonest.
Why were parents rushing to buy them laptops?
We all know a mobile phone, for all its wonderful features, is a poor substitute for a laptop for education.
But we're dishonest.
We're dishonest people - we ensured laptops for our children, but pretended that mobiles are good enough for education.
And since "most ppl have smartphones now anyway" (another lie!), even poor kids can continue their education despite lockdown (lie after lie!).
I'm SO ashamed.
And since "most ppl have smartphones now anyway" (another lie!), even poor kids can continue their education despite lockdown (lie after lie!).
I'm SO ashamed.
We've let down MILLIONS of poor students by not providing them a meaningful alternative.
"Studying on smartphones" was NOT the way - and we KNEW it.
We just didn't CARE.
Cos OUR kids had laptops.
I'm SO ashamed.
No country for underprivileged students.
scroll.in/article/100234…
"Studying on smartphones" was NOT the way - and we KNEW it.
We just didn't CARE.
Cos OUR kids had laptops.
I'm SO ashamed.
No country for underprivileged students.
scroll.in/article/100234…
Don't you DARE talk about "merit"!
You might be a good student, but you had a laptop to continue to study during lockdown.
That poor kid, just as bright as you, had only a pathetic phone, pathetic net connection.
Once you were level - NOW (s)he is WAY behind you.
Merit?
BS!
You might be a good student, but you had a laptop to continue to study during lockdown.
That poor kid, just as bright as you, had only a pathetic phone, pathetic net connection.
Once you were level - NOW (s)he is WAY behind you.
Merit?
BS!
The chasm between haves and have-nots in India has only deepened and widened after lockdown.
Not just small biz, but poor students have been worst affected.
Many have dropped out altogether (will not return!), many others are trying to hang in there by the thinnest of threads.
Not just small biz, but poor students have been worst affected.
Many have dropped out altogether (will not return!), many others are trying to hang in there by the thinnest of threads.
Pls DO read this fantastic piece.
It'll make your blood boil.
Not that we didn't know this, but it is a SLAP on the face of everyone who pretended "sab changa si" cos, you know, "mobile hai na? phir kya problem hai online padhai karne mein?".
scroll.in/article/100234…
It'll make your blood boil.
Not that we didn't know this, but it is a SLAP on the face of everyone who pretended "sab changa si" cos, you know, "mobile hai na? phir kya problem hai online padhai karne mein?".
scroll.in/article/100234…
I've seen this firsthand.
A 2nd-yr engg student (parents, construction workers).
Bright boy, very dedicated to studies. College got closed, hostel closed, no peers to discuss with. Entire ecosystem gone.
Came back home, highly depressed.
Things got worse, ran away from home.1/n
A 2nd-yr engg student (parents, construction workers).
Bright boy, very dedicated to studies. College got closed, hostel closed, no peers to discuss with. Entire ecosystem gone.
Came back home, highly depressed.
Things got worse, ran away from home.1/n
Came back home, but had lost interest in everything.
Had always been a quiet person, but now began acting strangely. Would sit in one dark corner in a garage and brood for hours. Not eat anything.
Parents very worried.
The only thing he wanted was to continue his studies. 2/n
Had always been a quiet person, but now began acting strangely. Would sit in one dark corner in a garage and brood for hours. Not eat anything.
Parents very worried.
The only thing he wanted was to continue his studies. 2/n
He couldn't afford an internet package good enough for his studies, so he'd sit outside my flat on the stairs with his mobile, to study.
Using my home wi-fi (which would go that far).
I invited him inside many times, but he refused.
I'd see him making notes, engg design.
3/n
Using my home wi-fi (which would go that far).
I invited him inside many times, but he refused.
I'd see him making notes, engg design.
3/n
He is SOMEHOW hanging in there.
Has told me many times "I miss my college, my hostel. There I have access to a computer. Am waiting for classes to start."
He has wanted to give it all up - friends tell him "engg kar ke bhi kya kar loge".
I keep telling him "stay the course". 4/n
Has told me many times "I miss my college, my hostel. There I have access to a computer. Am waiting for classes to start."
He has wanted to give it all up - friends tell him "engg kar ke bhi kya kar loge".
I keep telling him "stay the course". 4/n
THIS is the reality of how badly underprivileged students have been affected since March 2020.
His is just one case.
The article mentions a few others.
But there are lakhs of underprivileged students in this boat.
But acc to govt "online education chal raha hai".
Sab changa si.
His is just one case.
The article mentions a few others.
But there are lakhs of underprivileged students in this boat.
But acc to govt "online education chal raha hai".
Sab changa si.
This is one, of many reasons, I didn't feel like cheering India during the Olympics.
I cheered the athletes involved (not THEIR fault we are like this!). They've worked SO hard, they deserve encouragement.
But India?
I see no reason to celebrate a nation that is SO dishonest.
I cheered the athletes involved (not THEIR fault we are like this!). They've worked SO hard, they deserve encouragement.
But India?
I see no reason to celebrate a nation that is SO dishonest.
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