The Digital Divide in Indian Education: Internet Connectivity Challenges in Government Schools

According to the Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, only 25 percent of government schools in India have access to the internet, posing a significant challenge for students during emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic. Pradhan shared this information in response to a query raised in the Lok Sabha about the use of ICT in school education under the New Education Policy.

The database created by the education administration for the 2021-22 school year, the Unified District Information System for Education Plus, revealed that out of the 10,22,386 government schools in the country, only 2,47,000 have internet access.

The lack of internet connectivity is most acute in at least five states across the nation. In Uttar Pradesh, for example, only 12,074 of the 1.37 lakh institutions have internet access. Similarly, in Bihar, Odisha, Mizoram, and Assam, internet connectivity is available in less than 10 percent of the total number of schools.

This situation raises concerns, particularly for women’s education, during emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic. Many girls and women face additional barriers to education and may not have access to technology at home.

Therefore, the availability of internet access in schools is crucial for them to continue their education during such emergencies.

On the other hand, Delhi, Chandigarh, and Puducherry states have achieved 100 percent internet connectivity in all their government schools. Lakshadweep also ranks high, with 37 of the 38 schools having an internet link. Kerala, too, has fared well, with 4,738 of 5,010 government schools having internet connectivity.

Staff Reporter