Analysts say India’s push for a more technology-oriented education is hampered by a severe digital divide, with only a fraction of the country’s schools equipped with functioning computers, compared to the rest of the world. Millions of students are at risk as the workforce embraces emerging technologies.
According to the Government of India’s recent Integrated District Information System for Education report for the academic year 2023-2024, only 32.4% of India’s 1.47 million schools have access to functional computers, making it possible to develop new-age skills. It is said that 24.4% of schools are equipped with smart classrooms to support instruction.
The Indian Ministry of Education’s annual report is based on data collected from across India and provides insight into the current state of school education. The data also highlighted clear disparities between public and private schools.
According to the survey, approximately 60% of private schools have desktop computers, 40.8% have laptops or notebooks, and 34.6% have smart classrooms, while 21.4% of public schools have desktops, 22.2% have tablets, and 22.2% have smart classrooms. Only 21.2% have tablets installed. Percentage of smart classrooms.
Experts say such inequalities threaten to deprive India’s youth of important foundational skills, especially as AI and other emerging technologies reshape the global workforce.
