When it comes to students, academics tops the priority list. Nothing seems to be more important than getting a good education. There has been a debate on whether Internet access is a fundamental need for students today and I could not agree more. Apart from having good teachers and study materials, having an Internet access has also made it to the list in the recent years. I am going to share with you a few reasons why I feel internet access is a fundamental need for students today.
With the advent of online education platforms like Byjus, Unacademy, etc., students having access to these get an edge over the others due to the exceptional quality of materials provided by these platforms. And not just these, YouTube is a free platform that students have at their service and can use it to the fullest. Platforms like WhiteHat Junior help students as young as 6 years old, learn coding at home and stay ahead in the competition. There are several learning platforms like HackerRank, CodeChef, etc., for students interested in Coding. These platforms train students to solve real life problems through coding. Apart from these, platforms like Udemy, Coursera provide the students with a plethora of options that can help them make career oriented decisions early on. Very few students have their minds set on their goals at a young age. But with the help of these platforms, students get an idea of the other options that are available for them. They can enroll themselves in courses of their choice and get an idea of the job prospects on that field. For example, if a student has found interest in Marketing and does not know much to decide if it will be a good fit for him or her, this is where the aforementioned platforms come into picture.
Apart from these, having an Internet access will also help students in brushing their extra-curricular activities at home such as learning a new language, recitation, etc. In addition to having a good education, having strong communication skills is bound to give a student an edge over the others. International Model United Nations (IMUN) is just the thing that helps youths from all over the world to come together and learn about international relations, diplomacy and many more important topics. With a stable internet connection, students can take part in online IMUN conferences and acquire these skills.
Now, two potential problems come to my mind in order to get a good internet connection – residence and finance. Let’s take one point at a time. Getting a good internet connection in urban areas is not a problem at all. There are various broadband services out there for one to select a monthly/yearly plan. It seems to be a bit problematic in rural areas as it is a bit difficult to install fiber cables underground not only due to the cost but also due to factors like weather conditions, uneven roads, etc. This needs to be taken care of. Once this gets resolved, it will only be a matter of time to get the same internet speed available in urban areas.
Coming to expense, it might be a problem for poor people. But with so many broadband services available one can get a suitable plan according that will satisfy their needs and not burn a whole in their pockets.
As you can see, the advantages clearly outweigh the problems. Measures should be taken to overcome these problems so that more and more students have access to the Internet. For example, schools and colleges can also think of providing internet connection at their libraries so that students can make the most use of it. We should come up with solutions to overcome the problems as today’s youth is the Future of India! And what can be more important than that?