Grim Reality: 27,000 Schools in State Lack Electricity, Over Half Devoid of Basic Tech Facilities

Mumbai, 11th November 2023: Despite preparations for implementing the new educational policy at the school level in the state, a shocking revelation has surfaced in the Union Education Department’s ‘UDISE Plus 2021-22’ report. It unveils that around 27,000 schools still lack electricity, with more than half of them lacking basic computer and internet facilities.

The School Education Department’s plan to initiate online chatbot attendance for all students faces a critical hurdle in schools without electricity, prompting concerns about the feasibility of this approach.

Key Findings from the Report:

1. Online Chatbot Attendance:
– The state plans to commence online chatbot attendance for students from class 1st to 10th starting December 1, 2023.
– The initiative covers a total of 109,605 schools, encompassing government and private schools, with 225,866,695 registered students.

2. Internet and Computer Facilities:
– Out of the 65,639 government schools in the state, only 28.3 per cent (18,540 schools) have internet facilities.
– Only 30,645 government schools have computers out of a total of 65,639.
– SmartClass Room usage is reported in only 4,867 out of 24,037 subsidized schools.

3. Digital Libraries and Mobile Phone Usage:
– A mere 5.5 per cent of aided schools have digital libraries.
– Only 36,493 out of 109,605 schools use mobile phones for study purposes.

4. Health Check-Up Disparities:
– Government schools report the highest rate of health check-ups for students at 71.2 per cent.
– In 2020-21, health inspections were conducted in 46,722 government schools.
– The overall health inspection ratio for all management schools in the state is 66.4 per cent.
– Aided and unaided schools report health check-up ratios of 68.9 per cent and 48.3 per cent, respectively.

5. Toilet Facilities:
– Schools affiliated with Central Education Boards have separate toilets for girls.
– In state education board schools, the ratio of schools with separate toilets for girls is 91.5 per cent.

The report underscores significant challenges in bridging the digital divide and ensuring basic infrastructure in schools, raising concerns about the effective implementation of the new educational policy.