Karnataka: Beware of Blue Whale, CBSE tells schools

Bengaluru: With deadly games like Blue Whale adding to teen fatalities and anonymous applications like Sarahah resulting in cyber bullying, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has notified schools and managements with an 18 point guideline to ensure safe and effective use of internet and digital technologies.

The order is being seen as a relief for parents and teachers while managements are still trying to work an effective way out of this situation.

“Schools need to promote a safe and secure educational environment for effective teaching and learning and to discourage students from actions detrimental to themselves, their peers and the value system,” read the circular issued by the board addressed to all heads of institutions affiliated to them.

According to president of Managements of Independent CBSE Schools Association M. Srinivasan, schools have spent more attention to cyber related issues right from the advent of new media and technological advancement.

“Students are keenly watched and supervised regarding what to do and what not to, across their day at school. Schools have also been keen of late to spread awareness among students, teachers and parents on the adverse sides of internet as well with experts on the same being invited for interactions,” he said.

 The order also instructs schools to deploy a digital surveillance system and to use only licensed version of softwares. This, however, has not come across well to school managements.

“The Board should look at the expense and rationality behind asking schools to set up such systems. Schools should not be seen as commercial establishments in any regard and not many schools would have the financial means to use only licenced software for basic introduction to technology for kids at the school level,” asserted  Srinivasan. He felt that manual surveillance is ensured at every nook and corner of the school compound, irrespective of managements.

Parents say that the recent unpleasant reports caused by the misuse of internet and technology have made them stay on guard at home and such an initiative comes as a huge relief to them.

“The children are under our scanner at home while they are using any digital device. School asked to be extra cautious when they are there, for more time than home, is a huge relief for us,” said Nithyasree S.R., a mother of two and a software engineer.

“Giving individual attention to students have been a challenge, which is now being bridged rather efficiently by special hours and sessions arranged for the students to speak up and among them itself to create awareness. With the same amount of effort from the parents’ side as well, problems caused by misuse of technology can be minimized,” said Devi Mohan, a CBSE school teacher from the city. She felt the same should be implemented in all schools, irrespective of the boards they are affiliated to.