Prayagraj: Uttar Pradesh’s push to digitise govt school classrooms has faced sharp scrutiny after an official review found that most smart classroom devices and ICT laboratories installed over the past three academic years remained underutilised.The assessment, conducted by state project director Monica Rani, showed that out of 33,531 smart classroom devices provided to 25,954 council-run primary, upper primary, composite and PM SHRI schools, only 9,982 were active. As many as 23,549 devices were found unused, pulling the statewide utilisation rate down to 38%.The review attributed the low uptake largely to teachers’ reluctance or indifference towards using digital teaching tools, undermining the objectives of the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 installation drive.Prayagraj figured among the poorer-performing districts. Of the 777 smart classroom devices installed, only 66 were reported in use during the review period. Neighbouring districts also posted weak figures, with Varanasi showing 29 active devices out of 322, Sonbhadra 51 out of 494, and Chandauli emerging as the worst performer, with only 40 of 398 devices being used.The review pointed to a broader statewide pattern. Lucknow, ranked 25th in the state, had only 164 operational devices out of 434. Pratapgarh recorded 112 active out of 351. Kaushambi had 187 inactive devices out of 405, Fatehpur 307 unused out of 590, and Bareilly 489 inactive smart classrooms. Similar underuse was noted in Banda (294 inactive), Farrukhabad (207) and Moradabad (201).The condition of ICT laboratories was described as more alarming. Of 8,817 ICT labs set up across Uttar Pradesh, only 597 were active, while 5,220 were found completely unused during the period under review. Prayagraj reported just 13 functional ICT labs out of 286. Pratapgarh had 12 operational out of 74 and Kaushambi 12 out of 52. In Meerut, Kasganj and Hathras, the review found no ICT lab in use despite the infrastructure being available.Prayagraj Basic Shiksha Adhikari Anil Kumar said directions have been issued to activate every smart classroom and ICT lab. He said Block Education Officers, Academic Resource Persons, State Resource Group members and subject experts have been tasked with monitoring usage so that digital infrastructure supports learning outcomes instead of remaining idle.
