The problem is that no educational body affirms these unfair advantages.
KARACHI: While many remain ignorant and foolishly believe that the deadly Covid-19 virus does not discriminate, middle- and lower-class residents are having a rather tough time in trying to cope with the pandemic and its effects. It has been particularly hard for a primary school student, such as myself, as this unprecedented situation has forced educational institutions to resort to online classes.
During the summer season the city of Karachi glistens underneath the scorching sun as power outages across the city become more and more frequent. The situation is irksome for students as, apart from dealing with the intense heat, they have to frantically find a way to attend online classes without electricity. Those that live in far-flung areas are constantly confronted with connectivity issues due to poor signals. Technological privilege is an idea that not many talk about, let alone consider. It is as if the idea of merit doesn’t even exist. The more affluent students are able to overcome such situations because of the mere fact that they have more money; their latest gadgets allowing for crisp images of their faces while the background shows a majestic, almost Victorian-styled section of their house. On the other hand, no one really seems to pay attention to the pixelated laggy faces of those that are less fortunate.
The problem is that no educational body affirms these unfair advantages. Teachers and professors do not realise that these issues have the potential to skew the academic worth of a student. Authorities remain clueless, unable to conjure up a solution for this Herculean problem. Students are buried under a myriad of problems and it is time for the government to set up and come up with a way to make education more inclusive for all.
Azaan Shoaib
Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2020.
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