8 examples from Kerala that prove a pandemic can't hamper education for kids

The echoes of a classroom lazily singing ‘good morning ma’am’ are now long forgotten. Instead of learning how to calculate the area of a circle, students are learning how to use online learning platforms.

Teachers across the country are trying to move from blackboards to presentations. The coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives in ways more than one. Work from home to e-learning classes have become the new normal. Due to this, the country has witnessed a broad digital divide.

Some of the basic requirements to attend an online class include a smartphone/laptop and an internet connection. But many people in the country right now are struggling for basic needs and for them, it's really tough to arrange for an internet connection or a smartphone.

However, the government of Kerala has set an example for the entire country by making sure not once, but eight times that during this tough times, students do not lag behind.

The state with a hundred per cent literacy rate managed to ensure that students of all socio-economic backgrounds have the provision to attend classes, give exams and their studies do not suffer.

Here are eight times when Kerala's education model ensured that there education should not be compromised.

The education department of the state started telecasts of online classes named the first bell shown on Victers TV channel. This helped students with no internet access to attend classes. These classes are for students of class 1 to class 12 starting from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm from Monday to Friday.

The neighbourhood study centres will provide TV at a subsidised cost with VICTERS channels. These centres will accommodate students while following all the rules of social distancing.

A student named Sandra Sabu who lives in the Vembanad backwaters, which is almost 7 kilometres away from the normal boat channel, had no hopes that she would be able to write her exam. But the Kerala State Water Transport Department decided to arrange a boat to help her write the exam.

The Kerala government decided to deliver meals to the homes of the kids who were registered under the mid-day meal scheme to ensure that the students get a balanced diet.

The Kerala High court pointed out that the right to education was sacrosanct in the Constitution of India and is mandated under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

The students' notebooks featured the frontline heroes in an attempt to thank them for their selfless service.

The government has announced the launch of Kerala Fiber Optic Network project. It aims to provide free internet access to economically backward people.

These steps taken by the government of Kerala are a true inspiration for the entire country.