Education and Digital Divide
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...