New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Aug. 6 (UDN): Government schools in Odisha have witnessed a steady improvement in basic infrastructure, with more than 82 per cent now equipped with internet connectivity, the Centre informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
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Responding to a question in the Upper House, Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary said 38,748 of the state’s 46,801 government schools currently have internet access, reflecting significant progress in expanding digital infrastructure in the education sector.
The Minister also highlighted improvements in other essential facilities across government schools. According to the data shared in Parliament, 46,798 schools have access to drinking water, 46,689 are equipped with toilet facilities, 46,667 have electricity connections, while 43,452 schools are protected by boundary walls. The state’s government schools together have 1,94,840 classrooms.
Emphasising the Centre’s support for school education, Chaudhary said infrastructure development is being carried out under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, which provides financial assistance to states and Union Territories for improving educational facilities.
He noted that since education falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, state governments are primarily responsible for school education. However, the Centre extends financial support based on the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) submitted by states, reflecting their specific educational requirements and development priorities.
The proposals are scrutinised by the Project Approval Board (PAB) of the Department of School Education and Literacy in consultation with the respective state governments before funds are approved.
Under the Samagra Shiksha programme, assistance is provided for the construction and upgradation of school infrastructure, including classrooms, school buildings, science and computer laboratories, libraries, drinking water facilities, toilets, electrification, boundary walls, ramps for children with special needs, major repairs, laboratory equipment and solar energy installations.
The latest figures indicate Odisha’s continued efforts to strengthen school infrastructure and improve digital access, a move expected to support technology-enabled learning and enhance the quality of education in government-run institutions across the state.