As a result of the shift to online classes earlier this year, the educational future of 34 million children in Punjab is in jeopardy. The COVID-19 pandemic and the inadequate measures to maintain internet connectivity at the government level have adversely affected exams and outcomes. Approximately 80% of students in the province are dissatisfied with their internet service, while the remaining 20% do not have access to it. As a result, their educational prospects are severely limited. With 60% of students belonging to low-income communities, it was expected that all students would be connected to the online education system. To participate in online classes, students had to study from home, and exams were also conducted through the same platform.

In response to these concerns, the government directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan to distribute an exceptional award of Rs10 million to every government college to maintain the consistency of the online education framework. However, private education institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities, did not receive any funding. The primary issue that has yet to be resolved is the need for improved internet services for online education. According to Punjab Information Technology Board spokesperson, Ammar Chaudhry, providing or upgrading internet services is not the responsibility of the PITB. Rather, it is the responsibility of private firms that provide internet services across Punjab. Mr. Chaudhry explained that these companies were receiving less data capacity from the satellite while spreading more, which was putting more pressure on the system.

Higher education students have many concerns regarding online courses, as reported by Mohammad Anish Razia. There are issues with audio disruptions, and student queries are sometimes answered out of context, causing considerable frustration. Shahana Samina Yousuf explains that online classes are ineffective unless proper academic contact between teachers and students is established. Teachers are unable to evaluate the overall performance of the entire class, and students lack the confidence to ask important questions, creating a regressive academic environment.

Parents strive to equip their children with the best educational opportunities, but the faulty online system is hindering their efforts. They have insufficient time to consistently monitor their children's education for four hours, especially when it is entirely online. Access to high-speed internet is a major issue in Pakistan since many people living in areas with limited internet service are unable to use it. Even where internet connections are available, many people cannot afford them, creating difficulties for those who have transferred their careers and education online.

About 35% of Pakistan, especially the rural areas, lack internet infrastructure such as 3G/4G towers, fiber optics, or even DSL transmission lines, creating a rural-urban divide. At least 65% of Pakistan's population lives in rural areas with limited or no access to the internet. Internet connectivity varies from province to province, with almost a third of Balochistan's districts having no internet access at all. In some districts, the lack of fiber optic transmission cables further complicates internet availability. Only 5% of the population in KPK province has broadband access.

To access online education, many students have moved to Pakistan's urban areas, where the internet is cheaper and more readily available. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is putting their safety at risk. Teachers in these areas have also expressed concern about online classes. The government is implementing several programs and strategies to address these concerns, including "Tele school," a dedicated channel for distance learning that was launched on April 13 for younger students with access to television.

There are people who argue that closing the digital gap can lead to greater productivity, democracy, social mobility, economic stability, and financial growth. However, the digital divide, which is measured by bandwidth, is fluctuating rather than shrinking. The disparity has traditionally been measured by comparing existing subscriptions and digital devices' availability. Some experts believe that since there is a growing number of digital gadgets, the disparity between individuals is gradually decreasing as a natural process. Pakistan's "Digital Transformation" requires improved 4G coverage to enhance the country's ICT score, improve its Global Competitiveness Index, and increase GDP growth by boosting total factor productivity at both micro and macro levels. Private telecommunication firms must be offered financial and non-financial incentives to build 4G towers in areas where they are most needed to boost the number of 4G users. One way to bridge the digital divide is to conduct a survey to identify the number of people who lack internet access at home, much like schools often complete surveys to determine students' needs. When deciding to implement 1:1 initiatives, consider how individuals can use devices offline. Teachers should create assignments that do not require internet access, and students should be given additional access during school hours, and wireless hotspots may be rented out for students who have no internet access at home. We must address poverty, lack of education, and inadequate infrastructure to close the digital divide. Cost is the most significant obstacle to internet adoption, with technology being pricey due to taxes, patent fees, and electricity costs. Subsidies on tariffs to incentivize digital device purchases for low-income citizens, as well as financing, may help. To improve internet usage, we must educate the general public on the internet's significance and diverse potential uses. Furthermore, insufficient local language content and a lack of understanding of online platforms can hinder usage and participation inequality. In addition, concerns regarding privacy, trust, and data safety must be addressed to ensure that users are aware of policy frameworks that safeguard their security. The internet relies on infrastructure, which is often inadequate or non-existent in certain regions, largely in third-world nations with weak internet connectivity. The advent of broadband internet highlighted these difficulties, with broadband technology being costly and unfeasible to install in rural areas, but there are now cost-effective rural alternatives such as satellite broadband technologies, drones, and orbiting balloons.

The problem of the digital divide is just a symptom of a much bigger economic issue that affects both developed and developing nations. To address the digital divide, we need to first tackle the root causes of the problem, such as poor educational standards, inadequate infrastructure development, and low living and income levels. Digital platforms are an integral part of modern life, and we rely on technology for learning, work, and play. It is crucial to have a computer-savvy workforce to achieve a country's economic and developmental goals.

Although bridging the digital divide comes at a cost, the benefits of enhanced economic development and productivity far outweigh the expenses of improving broadband connectivity. In Pakistan, for example, ICT and its applications have played a significant role in achieving specific economic and developmental goals. While it may seem challenging to achieve even greater impact as stand-alone initiatives at the public and private ends, the government can play a critical role in creating a conducive environment, expanding infrastructure, grooming human capacity, and establishing transparent ICT policies.

To make efficient use of ICT, national policies should leverage public-private partnerships to achieve economic and development goals. In Pakistan, building a community-based platform where an appropriate order of things guides the realization of promises of ICT for eliminating income and opportunity poverty sustainably and equitably is crucial. For instance, the government must prevent students and parents from being exploited by unscrupulous internet providers.

To close the digital gap, everyone, regardless of gender or income level, must have equal access to the internet. Recognizing this fact is vital in achieving the goal of bridging the digital divide. Ultimately, by addressing the root causes of economic underdevelopment, we can build a more prosperous and technologically advanced future for all.