Premium

Maharashtra: Parents demand streaming of online classes on maths, science in civic schools

Under this initiative, civic school students are able to attend online classes by Khan Academy, a popular ed-tech platform, on their respective devices at home

online classesThe initiative aims to enhance learning through digital platforms for students from the comfort of their homes (Representative image)

The education department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in collaboration with the Khan Academy, has launched free online classes on Mathematics and Science for civic schools students. The initiative aims to enhance learning through digital platforms for students from the comfort of their homes.

However, parents are now demanding that these should be held in schools as many students are unable to take the online classes due to issues such as unavailability of smartphone, inadequate internet speed, network issues among others.

Under this initiative, civic school students are able to attend online classes by Khan Academy, a popular ed-tech platform, on their respective devices at home. These online classes are held every Thursday for Mathematics and every Friday for Science between 7pm and 8pm. While the initiative has been well appreciated by all, concerns have been raised after witnessing low response to these classes.

Highlighting that school children have to depend on parents for device access, one of the parents said, “Most of us are working parents, and return late, making it difficult for our children to attend these classes online.” Apart from timings, some parents also pointed out that they are unable to provide adequate internet support. “We do have a smartphone but the internet connection is not enough to support streaming of these online classes,” said another parent.

There are some schools such as Mitha Nagar school and A R Colony school, where more than 50 per cent students are able to connect online for these classes. But there are some schools such as those in Aarey Colony, Motilal Nagar, etc where the response is as low as less than 10 per cent.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner (education) Prachi Jambhekar denied to comment on the issue stating that the the department is taking meetings with schools to know the actual facts.

Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Role: As a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, her designation reflects her seniority, specialized knowledge, and the editorial rigor applied to her reporting. Core Authority & Specialization: Pallavi Smart is the definitive voice for Education news in the region. Her coverage scope is comprehensive: Policy and Regulatory Changes: Reports on major shifts in educational policy, including the restructuring of entrance exams (e.g., MHT-CET adopting the JEE Main model), the draft regulatory framework for coaching classes, and revised teacher recruitment processes. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Provides in-depth reporting on prestigious institutes like IIT Bombay and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), covering institutional initiatives, administrative debates (e.g., renaming IIT Bombay), and student welfare programs (e.g., mandatory mental health courses). Teachers and Eligibility: Covers crucial issues affecting the teaching fraternity, such as the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers and related controversies and application numbers. Student Welfare & Rights: Focuses on issues concerning students, including the rollout of government scholarships, the financial strain on schools due to midday meal reimbursement delays, and instances of child rights violations (e.g., the Powai studio hostage crisis). Admissions and Vacancy: Tracks the outcome of centralized admission processes (e.g., MBBS, BPharm) and analyzes vacancy concerns, providing essential data-driven insights for parents and students. Credentials & Trustworthiness Dedicated Beat: Her consistent focus on the "KG to PG" education beat allows her to develop unparalleled subject matter knowledge, ensuring her reports are accurate, detailed, and contextualized. Proactive Reporting: Her articles frequently break news on policy and institutional planning, providing the public with timely, essential information about a sector that directly impacts millions of families. She tweets @Pallavi_Smart ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Advertisement
Loading Recommendations...
Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments