BANDIPORA: 48 out of a total of 75 government schools in District Bandipora do not have functional computer laboratories and other digital infrastructure, leaving thousands of students at a disadvantage in an increasingly tech-driven world and making it difficult for them to compete in a world that relies heavily on technology.
Of these, 38 government high schools completely lack computer and digital facilities, and an additional 10 government higher secondary schools also do not have adequate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment, said Chief Education Officer Bandipora, Abdul Majeed Dar.
The high schools struggling without basic computer labs include HS Panar, HS Malangam Bandipora, HS Bonakoot, HS Banyari Sharkie, HS SK Bala, HS Mallangam Tulail, HS Ketson, HS Chanpal, HS Barnayee Tulail Gurez, HS Asham, HS Ahamshareef, and several others.
The absence of computer labs in Government Girls High School Naidkhai, Government High School SK Payeen, Government High School Rakhishilvath, Government High School Garoora, and Government Girls High School Kaloosa further highlights the digital gap in the region.
Students' access to modern technology-based learning is also severely impacted in 10 higher secondary institutions including HSS Arin, GHSS Dawer, Govenrment PM SHRI HSS Shadipora, HSS Ajas, HSS Aloosa, HSS Badugam, HSS Izmarg, HSS Kilshay Tulail, HSS Quilmuqam, and HSS Mantrigam.
Official data reveals that only 15 Higher Secondary Schools and 12 High Schools in the district have computer laboratories. While 25 Higher Secondary Schools have ICT laboratories, 36 High schools have the same facility. However, officials admit that equipment in some of these is outdated and inadequate.
No Access to Computers, No Digital Learning
Without hands-on experience, students from these schools fail to develop essential digital skills, making it difficult for them to compete in higher education and job markets.
“We study computers in textbooks, but we have never used one,” says a student from a government school in Bandipora. “How can we compete with those who have been using computers since childhood?”
The student community has urged the education department to take immediate action and provide digital infrastructure.
"We feel left out when we see several schools with modern facilities and well-developed digital infrastructure. The government must take steps to upgrade our school," said a student from GHSS Aloosa.
The government allocated Rs 1,522 crore with focus on implementation of National Education Policy, digital transformation and infrastructure creation in 2023-2024 with the promise of setting up one Virtual Reality laboratory in each zone, two robotic laboratories in every district and 500 computer laboratories across Jammu and Kashmir.
No specific allocation for Bandipora is available. However, not a single laboratory has been set up in the district since then.
"As students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds attending government schools, we face a significant disadvantage in today's digital world. We lack access to even basic computer facilities. How can we realistically be expected to develop competitive skills for the modern world when such fundamental educational tools remain beyond our reach?" questions a student of GHS Ketsan.
Government Policies and Ground Reality
In the last two decades, several government policies and schemes have been framed for promoting digital education.
The Information and Computer Technology (ICT) at Schools Scheme, launched in 2004, aimed to provide digital infrastructure including computer labs, internet connectivity, educational software, and teacher training to government and government-aided secondary schools. This initiative was later integrated into the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan in 2018.
The comprehensive Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, launched in May 2018, unified existing programs to holistically improve education from pre-primary to Class 12, featuring ICT labs, smart classrooms, digital boards, and Raspberry Pi systems, along with maintenance grants for equipment.
The PM e-Vidya program was launched in May 2020 as a COVID-19 response, focusing on digital content delivery rather than physical infrastructure development, designed to support areas where digital infrastructure was already established.
The NEP launched in 2020 has a major thrust on digital education.
Despite this, the ground reality in Bandipora tells a different story. Schools either lack computers entirely or have outdated systems that do not function properly. Internet access is also a major issue, making online learning impossible for many students.
A teacher from one of these schools told the Kashmir Times, “We want to teach our students practical computer skills, but without proper labs, we feel helpless.”
Widening Education Gap
The absence of digital facilities is creating a clear divide between students of private and government schools.
Locals warn that if this digital gap is not addressed, it will increase disparities and weaken the education system in the district.
"It is very sad to say that government higher secondary schools and high schools cater to thousands of students, yet, in this digital era, they lack computer labs and a browsing center. When these schools are still deprived of a computer lab, how will their students compete with those from better-equipped institutions?" said Sajid Ahmad Bhat, a local educationist.
Educationists say they have repeatedly urged the authorities to take immediate action and demanded upgrading existing computer labs and provide new computers where needed, ensuring proper internet access in schools to promote digital learning, train teachers to effectively use technology in classrooms, and monitor and maintain computer labs regularly.
In recent years, they have approached the Chief Education Officer, the Deputy Commissioner and other higher authorities in the Education department but say, there is no response.
The lack of basic computer labs in higher secondary and high schools has also raised concerns among locals.
Irshad Ahmad, a local social activist, raises a crucial concern, “If this is the fate of high school education, one cannot even imagine the lack of digital literacy at the primary and middle school levels.”
Official response
Abdul Majeed, Chief Education Officer Bandipora admits the inadequacies of computer laboratories in government school. He said that “sanction for three of the 48 deprived schools” has been approved.
Two government higher secondary schools — HSS Aloosa and HSS Mantrigam — and one government high school have been sanctioned computer labs, he revealed.
The principal of one of these schools confirmed this. "The construction order has been officially sanctioned, and the department is actively working on its execution. Additionally, we have plans to install CCTV cameras to enhance security on the school premises," Shabir Hussain, Principal of Government Higher Secondary School, Aloosa, Bandipora, told the Kashmir Times.
However, the school currently lacks a fully functional computer lab. While ICT facilities are in place, there is no internet Broadband connectivity available at the institution as yet.
While speaking to Kashmir Times MLA Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat criticized the lack of implementation of education modernisation schemes in the district. He emphasized the need for accountability in the education sector, highlighting the failure of officials to utilize available resources.
"There are several schemes under which education is modernised at the primary, high and higher secondary level. That CEO’s office and Bandipora and various heads of several institutions have not been able to avail of the benefits offers a sad story. They owe an explanation,” Bhat said.
He assured that things will change after there is a popular government in place after a long gap. “Lapses will fairly be looked into for action and redressal,” he said.
Have you liked the news article?