E-learning: A Dream For Students And Teachers In Jammu & Kashmir - Colleges In Jammu

Colleges In Jammu | Image Resource : gmcejammu.in

During the pandemic, the demand for E-learning increased as the educational institutes were closed for traditional forms of learning. The institutes used E-learning to reach out to the students. E-learning or online learning uses the internet to provide learning through an electronic device.

E-learning requires the availability of the internet and the quality of learning depends on the connection speed. Most Indian states are using 4G internet services but Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) is lagging due to the ban on 4G internet services from August 2019. The users can surf the internet but cannot stream online videos. This has made online learning a dream in J&K.

According to a primary school teacher in Pulwama, online education is not possible in J&K due to the frequent suspension of internet services and speed throttle issues. Students from the rural areas of J&K cannot afford a smartphone. Online education is a waste for primary classes.

Most of the cities have been covered by the mobile companies in J&K but people in the village struggle to connect to the internet due to slow mobile networks. Villages where mobile companies have installed a site get the benefit of online education. However, the rest of the villages have to face connectivity issues. E-learning has become a dream for students in the 600 schools located in the border areas of Jammu due to poor mobile networks.

Students from low-income families cannot purchase electronic devices for online education. Poor families admit their children to government-run schools. They cannot afford to spend their hard-earned money to purchase costly mobile phones and internet data packages. If the parents manage to buy mobile phones the students are not aware of the online resources.

How can the problem be solved?

The administration of J&K should begin by whitelisting websites for 4G internet services. The mobile companies should ensure that every village in J&K is covered with good internet connectivity. The companies should be made accountable for building mobile towers in far-flung areas.

Workshops should be conducted to train the teachers and students on the best use of online resources. They should be made aware of online education and how to connect with each other.

The administration should make policies to provide the students with tablets and computer labs should be made available in every school.

For STEM and non-STEM higher education courses, students can apply online to the colleges in Jammu.