Connectivity crunch debilitates learning for tribal children on Pachamalai hills

TIRUCHIStudents of the Government Tribal Residential Higher Secondary School at Top Sengattupatti, a tribal village atop Pachamalai Hills have no access to online classes due to lack of network covera

TIRUCHI Students of the Government Tribal Residential Higher Secondary School at Top Sengattupatti, a tribal village atop Pachamalai Hills have no access to online classes due to lack of network coverage in the area. The remote villages on the hills do not have a connection to cable TV either, through which Kalvi TV is telecast for students in the State. The school is the only Higher Secondary School in the hills, where 366 students are enrolled. However, only 60% have access to smart phones. Even they do not have stable network access and are unable to access the school WhatsApp groups. The teachers send study material on the group, which the children access only when their parents travel to areas where there is a network connection.