HRCP report raises concern over lack of internet for students in Balochistan, KP, GB

LAHORE: The State of the Human Rights 2020 report of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over the lack of internet services available to the students living in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan since the Covid-19 pandemic has emerged.

HRCP every year issues the State of the Human Rights Report featuring the status of human rights in the country. The report also features women rights, child abuse, health, environment, freedom of expression and other issues.

While highlighting the education issue for 2020, the report claims, “The pandemic was a huge blow to educational institutions, with students compelled to attend online classes to the detriment of thousands in Balochistan, the tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan, who had little or no access to reliable internet connections.”

The report further states that in general, online classes—made necessary by the Covid-19 pandemic—benefited only those fortunate enough to have digital access, with others, left to fend for themselves. Education observers expressed concerns that the disruption to learning caused by lockdowns would increase the proportion ofchildren out of school.

While highlighting the tuition fee issue and protests by university students the report noted, “University students across the country protested against hikes in tuition fees and demanded fee waivers, with the police using force to dispel many such demonstrations.”