Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights lens on poor mobile, net connection in tribal areas

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR), taking cognisance of a TOI report on poor mobile network affecting online classes in tribal-dominated districts, has asked the district magistrates of Kandhamal, Koraput, Kalahandi, Nabarangapur and Rayagada to ensure mobile connectivity do not come in the way of students’ education.
“Students are facing immense problem in tribal-dominated areas due to poor mobile connectivity. Children are preparing for different entrance exams and are heavily dependent on online classes. They often trek to nearby hills or climb trees to access mobile network,” said the commission in a letter to the collectors quoting the TOI report.
In the letter the commission’s chairperson, Sandhyabati Pradhan, stated that all children should enjoy quality education based on the policy of Right to Education (RTE).
“In the Covid-19 scenario, with schools closed, children are struggling for good education. But in this case, they can’t as mobile network has come up as an issue which is affecting online classes in districts,” Pradhan wrote, adding that “It needs proper attention for children to have quality education.”
According to the report published in TOI, poor mobile network in tribal-dominated districts in the state like Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Rayagada has created problems for students who are preparing for different examinations and continuing their studies through online classes. They trek to nearby hills or climb trees to access mobile and internet connectivity.
The report highlighted how several students of Mardipanka village, under Saramuli panchayat in Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district, have to trek to a nearby hillock to get internet connection for their online classes. Despite repeated attempts by villagers to get mobile tower installed in the area for better network, nothing has materialised yet.
A similar situation was reported from some villages of Thuamul Rampur block in Kalahandi district. Panchayats like Kerpai and Nakrundi do not have proper mobile and internet connectivity and students face difficulty for online classes. Lamtaput area in Koraput district and some rural pockets in Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts face a similar problem.
Wireless tele-density in the state was 76.15% as against the national average of 87.45% as on January 31 last year. The government report had stated that there is a requirement of special funding to set up more mobile towers in uncovered areas to improve tele-density in the state.
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