The Silent Struggle: Middle-Class Families and the Burden of Online Classes

 

When the new order came—demanding that children attend online classes after school hours—many parents in Kashmir felt a wave of helplessness. For most middle-class families, the idea of buying a smartphone for every child is not just difficult; it is heartbreaking.

A Parent’s Dilemma

Imagine a father who works long hours just to put food on the table. His wife carefully manages every rupee, stretching the family budget to cover school fees, groceries, and medical bills. Now, suddenly, they are told that their children must have smartphones to continue learning. The father looks at his children—bright, hopeful, eager to learn—and feels a pain he cannot express. How can he tell them that their dreams must wait because he cannot afford a phone?

The Tears Behind Closed Doors

In many homes, mothers wipe away tears in silence. They see their children’s disappointment when they cannot join their friends in online classes. They worry about their children falling behind, not because of lack of effort, but because of circumstances beyond their control. The sense of failure is heavy, even though they are doing everything they can.

The Unfairness of the Order

This order does not see the reality of Kashmir’s families. It does not see the father who skips meals so his children can study, or the mother who sacrifices her own needs for her kids. It does not see the children who sit quietly, watching others learn, wondering why education is only for those who can afford it.

A Plea for Understanding

Parents are not asking for luxuries. They are only asking for a fair chance for their children. They want their voices to be heard, their struggles to be understood. They want the government and authorities to realize that education should not depend on gadgets, but on equal opportunity for all.

Hope in Unity

Despite the disappointment, there is hope. Parents are coming together, sharing devices, and supporting each other. They are writing to authorities, asking for help, and refusing to give up on their children’s future.

In the end, the question remains:

Should a child’s right to learn depend on whether their parents can buy a phone? Or should we, as a society, find a way to lift every child, regardless of their circumstances?

The answer is clear in every parent’s heart. They only hope that those in power are listening.

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