Students do not have equal access to internet. Therefore, semester of students should be frozen in areas where there is no net facility or where there is slow internet. Students from different parts of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan demand HEC and Federal Minister for Education.
Students from different parts of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan have demanded from the HEC and the Federal Minister of Education that they are unable to attend online classes due to the slow speed of the internet. Student semesters should be frozen in areas where there is no net facility.
Students of Bagh, Dhirkot, Haveli, Neelam Valley here on Saturday said that online classes with us is a total injustice. First of all, there is no internet and where it is, it is so slow that one cannot join the classes. However, the HEC has now issued a notice that students who cannot attend online classes or take exams should freeze their semester.
This is a total injustice to the students. The students said that it is our fault that we demand from the higher authorities that Azad Kashmir like Pakistani students and especially in those areas where there is no network is very slow. A solution should be found for these students as well, as it is the responsibility of the state to provide facilities, students should be promoted in the next semester or regular examinations should be held only after the situation improves.
The first case of Covid-19 in Pakistan came to light on February 26 and the epidemic has been on the rise ever since. Initially, it was announced that all educational institutions in Balochistan would be closed for two weeks to prevent the spread of the virus and for the protection of students, teachers and other staff, and for two days in Sindh province. By March 15, educational institutions had been banned across the country and the public had been instructed to stay at home and keep themselves away from others.
The HEC has suggested the provision of online education in view of the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus across the country. Universities, like schools, have the option to remain closed until May 31, but if the lockdown exceeds May 31, they will have to start a series of online classes and remote education as per HEC guidelines.