21/04/2020
Plight of the students from Newly Merged Tribal Districts by Jamaima Afridi
Dear Government of Pakistan!
We fully understand that in this emergency and crucial times, everything has come to stand still and lockeddown. Therefore, the process of development and progress in the Newly Merged Tribal Districts have also halted and there are rumours that the money for the tribal districts’ development is now going to be utilised for Covid - 19 relief packages. And we fully understand the economic situation of the government and we have always sacrificed for the state. However, the HEC and Education Directorate are holding surveys to start online classes. But what about us, the students of Newly Merged Tribal Districts.
Let me apprise the government that we have no internet facility and access. We cannot open a link to be a part of survey let alone attend a online classes. Unfortunately, in this digitalised world, we are deprived of basic right to information and knowledge. Since very long other Pakistanis have access to online information due to internet access . During Covid-19 lock down, the better and privileged Pakistanis are interacting with their friends, family, accessing information and entertainment. In one way or in another way people are surviving with online information and entertainment. For us, it is okay, we are more resilient and will survive the lockdown. But the serious issue is If HEC and Education Directorate of KP decided to hold online classes then the privileged students will attend online classes too and we the lesser children would be like always deprived of our basic right and need. Yesterday the High Court of Islamabad directed the government to allow the 3G and 4G to Newly Merged Tribal Districts and we hope and pray that the powerful obey the orders of our honourable court. To many it is a minor issue but for us it is serious problem. We all know and understand that nowadays the majority of work is done online and we are living in the digital world. But alas, we have no access to it. It is important to highlight this issue because it is not our right but also our need.
