Bhubaneswar, 3rd Sept 2025 :The Digital Education Drive in Odisha involves imparting education to school students through computers. With internet connectivity and modern digital tools, students are being taught using advanced methods. According to data from the state government, the central Ministry of Education’s ‘UDISE+’ report reveals this progress.
During the previous BJD government’s tenure, some schools had computers and internet facilities. Under the BJP government, this number has significantly increased. Within just one year, computers have been installed in 8,000 more schools, and nearly 1,000 new schools have received internet connectivity. However, despite government claims, questions have been raised about how effective and functional these facilities truly are.
According to the report, in comparison to the 2023–24 academic year, more schools now have computer facilities in 2024–25. In 2023–24, 35,628 schools (59.4%) had computer access. Within one year, an additional 8,986 schools received computers.
In the 2024–25 academic year, out of 61,565 schools in Odisha, 47,241 (76.7%) now have computers, and among these, 71.1% are actually using them for student learning. Private aided schools are notably ahead in this area.
Key Highlights:
9,000 schools received computers in one year
83.8% schools now have internet connectivity
Effectiveness questioned by parents and stakeholders
Modern digital learning is being implemented in 82.7% of schools that have such facilities. However, government and aided schools lag behind private institutions in usage, although the numbers have improved compared to previous years. By March 2025, computers will be available in 77.2% of government schools, 67.8% of aided schools, and 68.1% of other schools.
Still, 14,324 schools that provide education from Class 1 to 12 lack computers — a reduction from 23,310 schools in 2023–24.
Internet Without Computers?
Interestingly, many schools without computers now have internet connectivity. In 2023–24, 50,582 schools had internet; this rose to 51,588 in 2024–25 — an increase of nearly 1,000 schools in a year.
Currently, 83.8% of schools have internet access, broken down as follows:
83% of government schools
85.6% of aided schools
88.6% of private aided schools
84.6% of other schools
Odisha ranks among the top states in India in terms of internet access in schools — comparable with Delhi, Chandigarh, and Lakshadweep, where 100% of schools have internet.
But Who’s Using It?
Despite this progress, parents have raised concerns. They ask: “What use is internet in schools that don’t even have computers?”
Utkal Abhibhabak Sangha President Krushnachandra Pati stated that in many schools where computers are available, most are non-functional. Moreover, many schools lack trained teachers to operate them.
He criticized the government’s push for “smart schools” as mere slogans, stating that the reality on the ground is quite different. The most worrying aspect, he added, is that even schools without computers are being provided internet, and it’s unclear who is benefiting from this. He called for a thorough investigation into the utility and functioning of such facilities.