AGARTALA: A new report presented in Parliament has highlighted a broad digital divide throughout Tripura, where it has been discovered that only 16% of government schools in the state are internet connected. The astounding statistic, brought out by Union Minister of State for Education Jayanta Choudhury, leaves up to 84% of schools as being completely disconnected, leading educationists into alarm.
The report indicates a national crisis, whereby 76% of government schools across India lack internet facilities. Combined, almost 775,386 government schools in the nation lack effective internet connectivity. Uttar Pradesh, among other states, has a mere 8.81% of connected schools. Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam account for connectivity at 15.62%, 17.77%, and 10.29%, respectively. Bihar experiences the worst condition with only 5.85% of government schools having an internet connection, rendering 95% unconnected.
These results are in direct contrast to the Digital India program of the central government, which is designed to increase technology adoption in education and governance. Even BJP-ruled states are not doing well in setting up basic digital infrastructure in schools, the report indicates.
Apart from the absence of internet connectivity, Tripura is also facing issues of teacher deficiency and increased dropout rates, thereby impeding education prospects. The general digital infrastructure of the state is also poor, with regular mobile signal disruptions being witnessed in Agartala and along major roadways. While the ruling party does not make any statements on these urgent issues, citizens in Tripura remain subjected to digital exclusion, further widening the education gap.
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