In Himachal Pradesh, 35% secondary schools sans computers

Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, September 30

Despite the thrust on online teaching and focus on smart classrooms with information and communication technology (ICT) labs, 8.89 per cent government higher secondary schools and 34.72 per cent government secondary schools in Himachal have no computer facility.

The situation in primary and middle schools is worse. Only 3.44 per cent primary and 17.2 per cent middle schools have computers. Also, 16.48 per cent higher secondary schools and 51.44 per cent secondary schools do not have Internet connectivity, as per a 2019-20 report. There are in all 15,327 government schools in the state —10,585 primary, 1,948 middle, 939 secondary & 1,857 higher secondary.

The Education Department has floated tenders for computers in 418 schools but Internet connectivity in remote tribal areas like Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Pangi and Bharmaur remains a problem, sources said.