Parliament Question: Lack of Smart Classes in Kasaragod

**Executive Summary:** This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3581 regarding the lack of smart classes and internet connectivity in Kasaragod, Kerala, as well as bilingual e-content availability. It outlines the financial assistance provided under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, alignment with NEP 2020, and initiatives like PM eVidya and DIKSHA to address these issues. The answer was provided on August 11, 2025, by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education. **Key Points / Main Content:** * **Smart Classrooms and Internet Connectivity:** * Financial assistance is provided to States/UTs under Samagra Shiksha for setting up Smart Classrooms in Government and Government Aided Schools (classes VI to XII). * As per UDISE 2023-24, 92.13% of schools in Kerala have internet facility. * 43 schools in Kasaragod district lack reliable internet, as informed by the State Government of Kerala. * **NEP 2020 Alignment:** * Samagra Shiksha is aligned with NEP 2020 to ensure quality education, equitable and inclusive classroom environments, and consideration of diverse backgrounds and multilingual needs. * Financial assistance is provided to States/UTs based on proposals submitted in the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB), appraised and approved by the PAB. * **Multilingualism and E-Content:** * NEP 2020 emphasizes multilingualism and recommends teaching children in their home/local language or mother tongue at least until Grade 5, preferably till Grade 8. * The three-language formula will continue to be implemented, considering constitutional provisions, aspirations of people, regions, and the Union, promoting multilingualism and national unity. * The three languages learned will be the choices of States, regions, and students, with at least two being native to India. * **Digital Education Initiatives:** * PM eVidya was initiated as part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan to unify digital education efforts. * 200 PM eVidya DTH TV Channels provide supplementary education in various Indian languages for classes 1-12. * DIKSHA is a national platform for school education, supporting 108 languages. * DIKSHA hosts 7,383 textbooks with QR codes and over 3.75 lakh digital contents in 133 languages (126 Indian, 7 foreign). * DIKSHA has 1,740 and 22,952 e-content in Malayalam and Kannada, respectively. **Impact Analysis:** * **State Government of Kerala:** * *Impact:* Responsible for implementation of Samagra Shiksha, identifying schools lacking internet, and utilizing digital education platforms. * *Action Required:* Submit proposals in the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) for financial assistance and address internet connectivity issues in the 43 identified schools in Kasaragod district. * **Students in Kasaragod District:** * *Impact:* Access to improved smart classrooms, reliable internet, and bilingual e-content in Malayalam and Kannada. * *Action Required:* Utilize available digital resources on platforms like DIKSHA and PM eVidya for enhanced learning. * **Ministry of Education:** * *Impact:* Oversees the implementation of Samagra Shiksha and digital education initiatives, ensures alignment with NEP 2020. * *Action Required:* Appraise and approve State/UT proposals, allocate budgetary resources, and monitor the progress of initiatives. * **Teachers:** * *Impact:* Access to digital resources and platforms like DIKSHA to enhance teaching methods and provide bilingual content. * *Action Required:* Utilize DIKSHA and other platforms to access and deliver e-content, adapt teaching methods to incorporate digital tools and resources.

Key Entities Referenced