The department of public instruction has launched a campaign in Udupi district to collect old or spare smartphones from well-off residents and distribute them among poor students. The initiative follows a survey, which revealed that 2,688 children in the district are unable to access online classes because of the digital divide.

Officials found that many children, especially those in rural areas, dont have a mobile or a television in their homes.

Several huts and small units in villages dont have electricity connections. The department is providing solar lamps to class 10 students living in such households. We have taken up a campaign to distribute solar lamps with the help of individual donors and organisations. We have already received 25 solar lamp sets.

Online or digital Education has gained widespread adoption following the pandemic. While it has helped ease Learning disruptions in urban areas, children in many rural areas have been left out. A number of studies and ground reports have shown how lack of devices and Internet connection is hampering learning in rural or remote pockets. Officials and organisations are making efforts to solve the problem.