Madurai: School principals across Tamil Nadu have raised concerns over technical challenges ahead of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's planned video conference interaction with government school students on June 15.

The Education Department has scheduled the CM to simultaneously address 6,329 high and secondary school students across the state through hi-tech laboratories equipped with video conferencing facilities.

However, principals report multiple technical hurdles including poor internet connectivity, unpaid service fees, and inadequate infrastructure in most government schools' hi-tech labs.

"Authorities are warning us to fix problems and ensure labs function properly by June 15, but they remain indifferent to ground realities," said a teachers' association executive.

The official said currently 6,329 government high and secondary schools have hi-tech computer labs and smart classrooms with internet facilities. While rural schools initially used private connections based on local availability, recent mandates require all schools to switch to BSNL connections.

"Many villages lack BSNL service entirely, and where available, speeds are inadequate for lab requirements," the executive explained.
Financial constraints compound the problem. Monthly internet fees dropped from Rs 1,500 to Rs 900 after the BSNL switch, but the government has not released payments for four months.

"Without resolving these ground-level issues, authorities expect us to make hi-tech labs ready for the CM's interaction. It's unclear how this is possible," teachers said.

The principals have demanded immediate government intervention to address infrastructure and payment delays before the scheduled video conference.