PIL challenging ban on online classes: K'taka HC directs state government to find solution

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court on Monday issued a notice to the state government, asking it to find a solution to issues pertaining to online classes for students up to Class 5.

The petitioners – Anumitha Sharma and 22 others from Bengaluru have contended that the government was proposing holding classes via television and Youtube which is similar to online classes.

The state government’s counsel said that the ban on online classes will remain in force till an expert committee forms guidelines on the same.

The division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Nataraj Rangaswamy asked the state government if online classes can be permitted for a a few hours till the expert committee forms guidelines on the same.

“Can you (state government) completely deny the opportunity of learning to these students?” the bench asked. It also directed the government to elaborate on measures it will take to ensure that students in rural areas get the benefit of online classes whenever it commences.

The government has asked for time till Friday to respond to the HC’s questions and said that the expert committee has been given 15 days and the guidelines will come soon.

The division bench on Monday said that it would take up two other petitions, filed by educational institutions challenging both June 11 and June 15 orders of the state government pertaining to the ban on online classes, also on Friday, June 26.