[Digital divide] Kerala High Court suggests website to facilitate voluntary contributions to help economically weaker students buy devices

With a view to ensure access to virtual classes for economically disadvantaged students, the Kerala High Court recently directed the State government to examine the feasibility of setting up a website where such students can register themselves so that those interested can contribute to the purchase of necessary digital gadgets (Archana Ajeesh v The Principal Secretary)..Single- judge Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan issued the interim order directing the State to submit the steps taken by it and other concerned authorities to afford equal access to education for all students regardless of their socio-economic status. "The Government Pleader shall get specific instructions as to the steps taken by the respondents to ensure that economically disadvantaged students are not sidelined by the digital divide and they are also able to pursue education like other children who have access to such gadgets," the order stated..The Court also said that the government could take the assistance of the Kerala State IT Mission for setting up a website where individuals, companies, NRIs, or NGOs could voluntarily contribute for the purchase of devices for students."Respondents shall look into the grievances projected by the students in this writ petition and shall inform this Court of the prospects of setting up a website with the assistance of the Kerala State IT mission where schools/needy students could get themselves registered so that individuals/Companies/NRI’s/NGO’s could voluntarily contribute to the purchase of phones/ digital gadgets or supply them," the Court said..The order was passed on a petition filed by several primary school students through their parents complaining that they have no digital facilities at their houses to enable them to pursue education, which is now being conducted online owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. The petitioners contended that thousands of students like them who belong to economically weaker sections and disadvantaged groups do not have access to smartphones, laptops, or for that matter an internet connection to enable them to effectively participate in online classes.The petitioners highlighted that they have the right to free and compulsory education which has been elevated to a fundamental right under Article 21A of the Constitution. Further, they also relied on the provisions of the Right to Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 to bolster their contentions.The Court directed the government to elaborate on the steps it has taken so far and any further steps that can be taken in terms of setting up a website to ensure that the digital divide doesn't further disadvantage students from economically weaker backgrounds..The matter will be taken up again next week. [Read Order]