School authorities, teachers in Kerala upset over KFON’s decision on bills
Teachers' unions in Kerala are protesting a directive from the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) requiring schools to pay for their own internet service charges. While KFON maintains that these costs were always intended to be borne by schools, educators argue that the service is essential for government-mandated digital education.
Why it matters
This dispute threatens the continuity of digital infrastructure in public schools, potentially impacting the state's high educational rankings.
As the row over a communication from KFON (Kerala Fibre Optic Network), the State government’s Internet service provider, to the General Education department asking schools to bear service charges associated with KFON Internet connectivity continues, teachers’ organisations have criticised the decision.
K-FON authorities had informed the General Education department by email that schools should intimate KFON if they want to retain the connection and pay the related service charges. Schools have not made payment for KFON connectivity bills till now, says the email.
The Kerala School Teachers’ Association (KSTA) and the All Kerala School Teachers’ Union highlight that Internet services are needed in schools not only for academic but administrative work too. The government should be paying the KFON bills of at least government schools.
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