More than 4,700 Tamil Nadu government schools have reportedly been cut off from online learning activities because BSNL internet services are not functioning reliably in several rural areas, while the government continues to pay a monthly connection charge for each school, according to a report by Dinamalar.
The affected schools are among the state’s government institutions equipped with technology-enabled learning facilities, including high-tech laboratories and smart boards. These facilities support online training, artificial intelligence and robotics lessons, digital tools, assessment tests, teacher training and classroom content accessed through QR codes.
The report said the government allocates Rs.750 a month for internet service at each school. Teachers and headmasters quoted in the report said BSNL connectivity was unavailable or inadequate in many rural locations, leaving schools unable to use the digital infrastructure installed for students and teachers.
Tamil Nadu government schools have been expanding technology-based teaching to help students learn through online resources and multimedia content. The reported disruption affects not only internet access but also the use of equipment that depends on a functioning connection. Online classes, digital assessments and other connected learning activities may therefore remain unavailable in schools where the BSNL service cannot be accessed.
According to the report, schools were initially allowed to use whichever internet provider was available in their area. This enabled several institutions to rely on private network operators where local connectivity was stronger. However, headmasters said an instruction issued from January 2025 required schools to use BSNL internet services.
The change has created an operational problem for schools in areas where BSNL coverage is limited, the headmasters said. Although BSNL is a government-owned service provider, they said its network was not available in many of the rural locations where the schools are situated. As a result, technology-based teaching has been disrupted in more than 4,700 institutions.
The issue also raises a question about how public education technology is being supported after installation. Smart boards and high-tech laboratories can only be used consistently when schools have reliable power, connectivity, technical support and the administrative flexibility to select suitable local providers. In this case, teachers said the restriction on using alternative networks had made the availability of infrastructure less relevant for schools without a working BSNL connection.
The report said school authorities had brought the problem to the government’s attention but had not received a resolution. Headmasters have sought permission to use the internet provider that offers reliable service in each school’s locality, as was allowed under the earlier arrangement. No government response or revised instruction was included in the report. The next step will depend on whether the education authorities restore provider choice or resolve BSNL connectivity problems in the affected schools.
