DOHA: The reopening of schools and the launch of blended learning, of which online learning is an essential part, has sent parents into a tizzy.
Several parents are complaining that one of the toughest parts of online learning, necessitated by Covid-19, has been the acquisition of laptops for children as a sudden spike in demand has not only caused a spike in laptop prices, but also a shortage of the preferred configurations.
Parents with limited income and with more than one child are forced to spend a huge amount on laptops. Speaking to local media, some parents called for urgent intervention by the Ministry of Commerce to monitor prices of laptops in the market.
Previously, while an entire family or some children were sharing a laptop, it is now compulsory for every child to buy a laptop as online classes are held simultaneously.
Computer sections at malls and stores have been witnessing a huge rush since the reopening of schools. The prices for various brands range from QR1,800 to QR8,000. Schools have prescribed the specifications of the computers for students and this has made the product more costly.
Also, some parents are forced to visit several stores to get the best price and preferred configurations as prices vary from store to store.
“There is a great demand for laptops due to online learning. Some dealers and sellers have become greedy and are exploiting the situation and jacking up prices,” Khaled Fakhro, a parent, said.
“Buying a computer for each student is a great burden on families, especially at this time when parents are required to pay school fees and buy books and other study materials,” said Hassan Al Jaidi, another parent.
Popular brands available in the market are Apple, HP, Microsoft, Acer, Lenovo, Dell, Samsung, LG, Sony, Intel and Asus.
“There is a huge demand for laptops, printers and monitors after the launch of nline learning and the market is trying to adjust to the demand,” said C V Rappai, Director and CEO, Jumbo Electronics.
Rappai said there was no shortage of laptops in the market. However, the market was unprepared for a sudden rise in demand. “When Covid-19 struck, the laptop market was going through a change all over the world. Laptop sales were in decline due to a fall in demand as these devices were being replaced by iPads and smartphones, in the same way as desktops were replaced by laptops when they first arrived,” he said.
Due to a fall in demand, only a few laptop brands were available in the market when Covid-19 struck and supplies were limited as manufacturers had scaled down production. However, manufacturers have since then increased output and there are enough supplies, Rappai said.
At the same time, parents are lamenting they are spending more on their children’s education due to Covid-19 while the quality of education has been hit due to the suspension of in-person classes.