State far behind in school digital access, reveals govt data
The latest UDISE report by the Union education ministry reveals stark gaps in facilities such as digital libraries, smart classrooms, and projectors — particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
Out of 92,439 schools across the state, just 823 -- barely 0.9% -- have digital libraries. This is far lower than the national average of 6.1%, and well behind Maharashtra, where 8% of schools are equipped with such facilities.
The UDISE, or Unified District Information System for Education, is a comprehensive database that collects and maintains data on schools across the country.
Digital resource distribution remains inconsistent across the state's educational institutions. The state confronts considerable obstacles in upgrading its school infrastructure, especially in rural and semi-urban regions. Students face limitations in accessing modern learning materials and online resources due to insufficient digital libraries.
The considerable difference between Madhya Pradesh and other states indicates an immediate requirement for targeted action. Maharashtra's success rate shows the feasibility of digital integration within the region.
"Several factors contribute to this disparity, including budgetary constraints, infrastructure limitations, and technical expertise shortages," a school principal said on condition of anonymity.
Fundamental infrastructure issues continue, with numerous schools lacking reliable internet connectivity and computer laboratories. The current teacher training initiatives remain superficial, despite their potential significance in developing digital literacy and supporting educators with technology integration.
The smart classroom situation in Madhya Pradesh remains suboptimal, with 11.6% (10,756) of schools having Digital Boards, Smart Boards, Virtual Classrooms, or Smart TV facilities, significantly below the 21.2% national average.
Neighbouring Chhattisgarh shows better results with 18.5% smart classroom implementation.
Regarding projector availability, only 3% (2,745) of 92,439 Madhya Pradesh schools possess functional units, substantially below the 15% national average. Neighbouring Chhattisgarh maintains superior statistics with 11% of schools equipped with functional projectors.
The limited projector availability in Madhya Pradesh schools exemplifies substantial digital infrastructure deficiencies.
This situation reflects wider issues in implementing contemporary teaching tools across educational institutions. Rural schools particularly struggle with essential technological requirements.
The substantial gap between Madhya Pradesh's 3% and the national 15% average demonstrates an urgent requirement for educational technology enhancement. This shortfall impacts educational delivery quality and restricts students' engagement with digital learning approaches.
The UDISE report, or Unified District Information System for Education report, is a comprehensive database on school education in India. It is managed by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, and maintained by the National Informatics Centre. The report collects and disseminates data on schools, teachers, infrastructure, and student enrolment to support education planning and development.
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