Education Ministry distributes 60,000 free tablets while millions can't access online classes

Photo: Ruşen Efe/bianet

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The Ministry of National Education has distributed 60,000 free tablets to students to help increase attendance in online classes, Minister Ziya Selçuk has announced.

In addition, online education "support points" and "PC laboratories" in schools were set up in all provinces, Selçuk said in response to a parliamentary question by MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

The ministry announced in October that it would hand out 500,000 free tablets to students. 

While the distribution of the tablets is continuing, students who don't have internet access or a PC in rural areas can benefit from the "mobile support points," according to the minister.

Throughout the country, more than six million students were not able to access the ministry's Education Information Network (EBA) between March 23 and June 19, says a September report by the Eğitim-Sen teachers' union.

Attendance in live classes was about 15 to 20 percent, according to the report.

Many children had to use their families' mobile phones to access online education. (RT)