New Delhi: At a time when the Centre is promoting digital education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, only 23 percent of government schools nationwide have Information and Communication Technology (ICT) labs, and a mere 35 percent have smart classrooms, the Union Ministry of Education informed the Parliament Wednesday.
The Union Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, presented the data in the Upper House, in response to a question on the status of digital education infrastructure in schools, as asked by Dhananjay Bhimrao Mahadik, a BJP member in the Rajya Sabha.
Out of 3,94,634 government schools from Class 6 and above, 91,289, or just 23 percent, have ICT labs, dedicated spaces with computers, Internet access, and digital tools to support digital learning and technology-based education, according to the data. Smart classrooms are available in only 35 percent of the schools, or 1,40,926 schools. Internet connections are available in 54 percent of them.
NEP 2020 emphasises the integration of ICT labs in schools to enhance learning outcomes and prepare students for the digital age. To support this vision, the Ministry of Education implements various ICT and digital initiatives under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, aimed at strengthening digital learning in government schools in the country.
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh among states lagging behind
Among the larger states, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are lagging, according to the ministry’s response.
In Bihar, of the 37,839 government schools from Class 6 and above, only 7,424 (19.6 percent) have smart classrooms. ICT labs are present in 2,597 schools (6.8 percent). Nearly 6,080 schools (16 percent) have Internet facilities.
In Uttar Pradesh, 8,642 schools, or 17.55 percent of the total 49,325 government schools, have smart classrooms. ICT labs are available in nearly 1,077 schools (2.1 percent). Also, 26.6 percent of UP’s schools, or 13,162 schools, provide Internet connections.
In Madhya Pradesh, 8,993, or 26 percent of the total 34,161 government schools, have smart classrooms. There are ICT facilities in 6.2 percent of the schools in the state, or 2,137 schools. Internet connections are available in 11,951 schools (35 percent).
Punjab is among the best-performing states in terms of digital infrastructure. Nearly 95.9 percent—6,165 schools—have smart classrooms. Moreover, 98.2 percent of Punjab’s schools, or 6,310 schools, have Internet connections, whereas 4,678 schools or 72.8 percent, come with ICT labs.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
Also Read: Gujarat sees highest coverage under PM’s rooftop solar installations scheme; Bengal, Jharkhand lag