**Summary:**
Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 199, answered on July 21, 2025, addresses digital infrastructure in schools in Assam under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Shri Amarsing Tisso inquired about the number of government schools equipped with digital infrastructure, identification of infrastructure gaps in tribal and hilly districts (specifically Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao), and action plans to improve digital access in educationally backward regions.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Sh. Jayant Chaudhary, responded that, based on information received from the State Government of Assam, 9,240 government provincialised Upper Primary, Secondary, and Senior Secondary Schools have been covered under ICT and Smart Class initiatives, out of a target of 10,689 schools. Internet facilities have been provided to all ICT Labs and Smart Classrooms, and VSAT connectivity has been established in schools where Tele-Education is implemented.
The State Government of Assam has identified infrastructure gaps in tribal and hilly districts, including Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong, and West Karbi Anglong, and has provided digital facilities to schools in these districts. The State Government is working to provide new-age teaching methodologies to all districts, including tribal and hilly areas, in a phased manner. The Department of School Education Literacy's ICT and Smart Classroom component aims to transform classrooms into tech-driven environments. The Union Budget 2025-26 includes plans to extend broadband connectivity to all Government Secondary Schools in rural areas under the BharatNet project.
Key Entities Referenced
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: A school education program in India aimed at improving the quality of education.
Assam: A state in Northeast India, focus of the question regarding digital infrastructure in schools.
ICT Labs: Information and Communication Technology laboratories in schools, equipped with computers and internet facilities.
Smart Classrooms: Classrooms equipped with digital technologies like projectors and interactive whiteboards to enhance teaching and learning.
Karbi Anglong: A tribal district in Assam, identified as having infrastructure gaps.
Dima Hasao: A hilly district in Assam, identified as having infrastructure gaps.
Ministry of Education: The Indian government ministry responsible for education.
BharatNet: A project to extend broadband connectivity to rural areas, including Government Secondary Schools, mentioned in the Union Budget 2025-26.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 199
ANSWERED ON 21/07/2025
Digital Infrastructure in Schools under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
199. Shri Amarsing Tisso:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) the number of Government schools in Assam equipped with digital infrastructure like smart
classrooms, ICT labs and internet facilities under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan;
(b) whether the Government has identified infrastructure gaps in tribal and hilly districts such as
Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of action plan to improve digital access in such educationally backward regions?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SH. JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a): Education is in the Concurrent list of the Constitution and majority of the schools are under
the administrative control of respective State Government and UT Administration. As per
information received from the State Government of Assam, a total of 9,240 Government/
Provincialised Upper Primary, Secondary and Senior Secondary Schools have been covered under
ICT and Smart Class out of total target 10,689 schools. Internet facilities have been provided to
all ICT Labs and Smart Classrooms and VSAT connectivity has been established in schools where
Tele-Education is implemented.
(b) & (c): State Government of Assam has identified the infrastructure gap in tribal and hilly
districts specially- Dima Hassao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong Districts and provided
the digital facilities in the schools of these districts. The State Government is working persistently
to provide all possible new-age teaching methodologies to all districts of Assam including tribal
& hilly districts in a phased manner with identified gaps with and aim to enhance the quality of
education and bridge the digital divide across schools.
The digital initiatives of Department of School Education & Literacy especially “ICT and
Smart Classroom component” provide basic infrastructure to the students and transform the
classroom into tech-driven class. Students engage more with multimedia content and interactive
activities, while accessing a wider range of resources. This fosters deeper understanding,
collaboration, and digital literacy for students, enriching their overall educational experience.
Additionally, the Union Budget 2025-26 mentions plans to extend broadband connectivity
to all Government Secondary Schools in rural areas under the BharatNet project.
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