Odagaon, 13th Sept 2025: In 2012–13, the government launched a program to provide computer education to every student in high schools. Under this plan, schools in Odagaon block received grants to purchase computers, and computer instructors were appointed.
However, in the following years, the government terminated the services of these instructors, dashing the hopes of hundreds of trained teachers who were working for over five years expecting permanent employment. This sudden termination pushed many families into poverty.
Later, the government included all schools under the 5T initiative, announcing that computer education would be mandatory for students. But in reality, computers were supplied just for the sake of formality, without hiring any instructors or ensuring teaching infrastructure, leaving students without access to actual computer education.
Currently, many computers lie unused or damaged due to neglect. Even though these issues are clearly visible, the Education Department remains inactive, seemingly in a deep slumber. In some cases, regular teachers were given only five days of basic training to somehow manage computer classes, which proved insufficient.
As a result, students in most schools have been completely deprived of computer education. It is alleged that due to mismanagement and corruption involving leaders, ministers’ close associates, and some government officials, low-quality computers were procured, most of which are now non-functional. The smart boards provided under 5T are also reportedly non-operational due to lack of maintenance.
Despite these problems affecting 41 high schools in the Odagaon area alone, thousands of students remain without proper computer literacy. Frustrated parents have started questioning the government’s intent, asking who these schemes are really meant for.
Many have now raised their voices, demanding the immediate appointment of qualified computer instructors and the repair and maintenance of existing equipment, so that students’ futures are not jeopardized. Teachers and educators worry that if prompt action is not taken, the government’s computer education program will remain only on paper.