‘Nearly 100% state-run schools now equipped with essential amenities’

MP, 12 Jan 2025, Kolkata: The latest Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UIDSE+) report for 2023-2024 highlights significant improvements in infrastructure at government schools in Bengal, with nearly 100 per cent of the state-run schools are now equipped with essential amenities like electricity, drinking water, toilets and libraries. 

However, the report also highlights a significant gap in computer facilities and internet connectivity. Bengal is home to 93,945 schools, with 82,307 being government-run. 

According to the report, 97.6 per cent of government schools now have functional electricity connections and 99.6 per cent are equipped with drinking water facilities. 

Almost all government schools (99.9 per cent) have functional toilet facilities, while 98.6 per cent provide handwashing facilities. Furthermore, 93.6 per cent of schools have libraries, book banks, or reading corners. 

Education Department officials have lauded the state’s progress in infrastructure, noting that Bengal has surpassed the national average in several categories. Nevertheless, the report reveals that the state still has a long way to go in terms of achieving full digital infrastructure in its schools. 

Only 22.3 per cent of all schools in the state have computer facilities, with government schools lagging at just 18.7 per cent. While this marks a slight improvement from the previous year (17 per cent), the digital divide continues to be a major issue. 

The availability of internet facilities is even more limited, with only 17.5 per cent of all schools and 15.1 per cent of government schools having internet access, up from 13.7 per cent in 2022-2023. In addition, 34.3 per cent of schools with secondary sections have integrated science labs, a slight increase from 33.5 per cent last year. 

The report also highlights facilities for children with special needs (CWSN). Approximately 30.2 per cent of government schools have functional CWSN-friendly toilets, 85.2 per cent have ramps for CWSN students, and 58 per cent have ramps with handrails. 

However, only 3.9 per cent of government schools have co-curricular activity rooms or arts and crafts rooms, 16.2 per cent have kitchen gardens, 3.9 per cent have functional rainwater harvesting facilities, and 4.6 per cent have solar panels. 

Significantly, the report noted a drop in the dropout rate, which has fallen to zero at both the primary and upper-primary levels. Education Minister Bratya Basu highlighted this achievement on his X handle, stating: “Under the constant supervision of our Chief Minister, this has undoubtedly become a significant achievement for Bengal compared to the rest of the country.” 

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/nearly-100-state-run-schools-now-equipped-with-essential-amenities-594405