Panchayats, parents unhappy as SCHOOL tablets misused

Under Haryana government’s 2022 Adhigam Scheme, tablets were distributed among school children studying 10th to12th standard to facilitate learning after the pandemic affected study on a large scale. However, these tablets have been the subject of controversy after it was revealed that social media and illicit content was being view
After around a dozen panchayats in Haryana wrote letters to the government showing concern to take cognisance of the matter, the government has swung into action. Several panchayats have demanded the tablets be taken back from the children. Education Minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar said of the total number of children who received tablets, few were involved in appropriate activities.
Besides, the tablets are equipped with Mobile Device Management systems to monitor content and stop children from accessing objectionable material. This prevents children from viewing objectionable material. “The students can have access to curriculum and the matters related to study but some mischievous school children are making misuse of the tablets by removing the MDM system,” he said.
Further, Kanwar Pal Gujjar said that action may be taken against those school children who have removed the MDM system from the tablet or unlocked them with illicit means. Regarding the same matter, the parents of the children are of the opinion that it is quite impossible to have an eye on the children all the time.
While reacting to this, the Minister said it is unfair to place the responsibility solely on the state government as it cannot take care of every aspect pertaining to the matter.
The tablets were distributed to economically weak children to ensure that they did not lag behind in their studies during the pandemic, Education Ministry officials said in this regard.