THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Team Herald
SANGUEM: The parents of children studying in Government Primary Schools at Margawada, Bandawada, Vichindrem, Rumdem, Nunen, Verlem and Kurpem, who had gathered to participate in the Chief Minister’s virtual talk 'Shiksha Pe Charcha' went home disappointed as they neither got an opportunity to express their views nor were able to watch the talk, due to the failure of internet connectivity at Bandawada.
Over 60 parents gathered to witness the interactive session eagerly waiting for it to start and were upset when they could not go online, despite the elaborate arrangements made for the talk. The villagers however got to hear parts of the speech on a speaker after a local used his mobile internet to access the session. The villagers from Netravali have been complaining of poor internet connectivity in the village since the Covid-19 lockdown when all aspects of life changed for them, and even students were expected to study online. During those months, students from Netravali and other remote areas in Sanguem have seen trekking to hilly areas in search of network connectivity.
A panchayat member from Bandwada, Rakhi Naik expressed disappointment over the failure of the government to make arrangements for uninterrupted internet connectivity in the village and urged the authorities to work on improving internet access for the villagers, before organising any more virtual sessions like Shiksha Pe Charcha. Another villager called it a waste of time and energy and was upset that she could not air her views during the session.
Naik also complained about the failure of the Chief Minister to discuss even a single issue concerning students from the remote parts of Sanguem taluka. Naik pointed out that a majority of the students in Sanguem are studying in Government Primary Schools and said it would have been appropriate if some issues concerning government schools in Sanguem were taken up for discussion.
