(Dharshini.G, Intern journalist) Chennai: A Class 10 student in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore area killed himself on Wednesday night as his dad couldn’t get him a cell phone to use for online classes being held by his school in the midst of the coronavirus lockdown.
Specialists state the 14-year-old kid, who learned at the Vallalar High School close to the town of Panruti, killed himself at his home on Wednesday night. In his objection, the kid’s dad, Vijaykumar, who is a cashew rancher from Siruthondamadhevi town, stated: “Moving to Class 10, my child asked for a cell phone for online classes. I disclosed to him I’d get him (one) after I got money for my cashews however he turned furious”.
Numerous helpless families have endured because of an absence of income, salary cuts, and even unemployment because of a coronavirus lockdown that has been set up since March 25. The state government has been giving just free apportion and an installment of ₹ 1,000 every month – a small sum, especially for those living in urban areas and urban focuses.
Adding to these difficulties, with private schools picking on the online classes, academicians have more than once cautioned the ruling AIADMK about a “digital divide” influencing students from more unfortunate families who may have constrained access to the web and gadgets like cell phones.