Pressure of e-attendance or compulsion? Teachers climbed trees for network, risking their lives in the rain
Teachers Go to Extremes for E-Attendance: Climbing Trees and Crossing Floods!
The Digital Attendance Struggle in Rural India-In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, India, teachers are facing an unprecedented challenge: unreliable internet access for e-attendance. This seemingly simple task has led to extraordinary measures, highlighting the gap between technology and reality in rural areas.
Scaling Heights and Braving Floods-Images have emerged of teachers climbing trees and scaling rooftops to catch a signal, all in the name of marking their attendance. In some cases, teachers even risked their lives, wading through floodwaters to reach a spot with better network connectivity. The dedication is undeniable, but the situation is absurd.
The Perils of E-Attendance-The pressure to mark attendance online has forced teachers into dangerous situations. Hours spent waiting for a signal often resulted in the system marking them as absent, adding insult to injury. This situation underscores the urgent need for better infrastructure and support for educators.
A Plea for Better Infrastructure-Teachers are appealing for improved internet access and safer routes to schools. Many schools lack basic amenities, including reliable electricity for charging devices. Teachers are requesting solar power or battery backups to address this critical issue.
Technology vs. Reality-While e-attendance aims to improve accountability, its implementation without considering ground realities has created a stressful and potentially hazardous situation. The focus should be on providing the necessary infrastructure before enforcing such technology-driven systems.
The Human Cost of Digitalization-The stories of teachers going to such lengths to meet attendance requirements highlight the human cost of technology implementation without adequate planning and resources. It’s a stark reminder that technology should serve people, not the other way around.
