Internet speeds continue to hamper Buchans distant education classes
10/03/2016
Just two weeks into the new school year, complaints over slow internet speeds are already at the forefront of discussion amongst students in Buchans.
Hannah Stacey, a Grade 12 student at Lakeside Academy, has been through this all before. Due to the school's small size and lack of resources, several high school courses need to be completed online through distance education.
But there's a problem. The school's internet speeds are often not fast enough to connect.
"(Teachers) are trying to help the best they can. They can't do much because it's not their problem," Stacey said. "They still have to keep going on with the curriculum."
On Thursday, seven students at Lakeside tried to log into their Centre for Distance Learning and Innovation (CDLI) class. All seven failed to connect. When they tried to log in one at a time, some were successful, while others were not.
"I got in 15 minutes before the class ended and I did not know what was going on," Stacey said. "Some people didn't even get in the class. We're basically missing class time."
Last year's fix not helping
The issue was raised by students, including Stacey, last year. It was thought to be resolved when the school installed two satellites to boost the slow connection.
But the problem persists. They've been told there are plans to switch to Fibre Op, Stacey said, but the installation keeps being pushed back.
It isn't just a problem in Buchans, however. Students from other small communities also have trouble logging in, Stacey said, which causes problems for everyone else.
"We can't get work done because we're always waiting on each other."
By Ryan Cooke