Education and Digital Divide

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Education is a child's basic right. Even in times of conflict, war or disaster, when states are compelled to shut down educational institutions, alternative learning opportunities should be brought forward for students. 

Pakistan is currently passing through a similar phase. Since the pandemic has knocked at our doors, the schools and universities have been closed for an indefinite period. The state just yielded to an anonymous enemy, and subsequently, the students were deprived of their learning opportunities. However, to alleviate the losses, the institutions were directed to introduce a mechanism for online learning. Alas, everything went in vain when the harsh reality that only a handful of well-off and elite sections of the society could afford the luxury of internet connection came up to the surface. Once again, the directives were issued, but, this time, they entailed the halting of digital learning until the issue of internet connectivity and affordability could be resolved. 

But one might question whether it is possible to ensure the countrywide connectivity within a couple of days, or to say months, when it could not be done in the past many years. Believing in any such things would be fool's errands, for the state lacks the political will and determination to carry forward pro-poor development projects at a break-neck pace. Ironically, for the government, previous ones and the incumbent alike, what matters the most is to serve the rich at the cost of the poor - the latter being already a marginalized class. 

Ergo the masses ought to raise their voices and fight for their due rights once the pandemic wanes. Otherwise, they may risk losing more opportunities in the coming times ahead. Perhaps they will be the victims of a digital divide if their lips bear the silence any longer, and gaining a quality education, inter alia, will become a distant dream for many in Pakistan.

Note: The article is a month old. 

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