UDF Government Backs Away From K-FON; Schools Asked to Pay Internet Bills

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala General Education Department has directed schools to inform whether they wish to continue using the K-FON internet service after receiving a communication from Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) regarding the renewal of internet connections.

According to a circular issued by the department, schools have been asked to indicate whether they require the service. Institutions opting to continue the K-FON connection will have to bear the future subscription charges.

More than 6,000 schools in the state currently rely on K-FON for uninterrupted internet connectivity. Kerala was the first state in the country to recognise internet access as a right and establish its own optical fibre network to deliver the service.

K-FON has been regarded as one of Kerala's flagship digital infrastructure projects. The latest circular has sparked criticism from sections that view it as a shift in the new government's approach towards the project, alleging that the government is withdrawing from its responsibility to support the service.

The department has instructed schools to submit their requirement through the official K-FON portal. The circular has been issued to Deputy Directors of Education, who will direct the instructions to schools.