77% schools lack power in Subarnapur

There are no computers in 77 per cent of the schools in Subarnapur district in absence of power connections and, thus, students are being deprived of online education and coaching through videoconferencing under the Digital India programme.

According to the Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority (OPEPA) sources, there are a total of 1,026 Government schools, comprising primary, upper primary and high schools, in the district. While a large amount of funds come from both the State Budget and Central schemes like Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and RMSA, only 236 schools have got electricity connections so far and 790 schools lack the facility.

Even as grants such as School Improvement Grant (SIG) of Rs 5,000 for primary schools and Rs 15,000 for high schools are sanctioned on a regular basis by the Government, no measures have been taken to ensure power connections in Government schools. Though the Government is giving importance on computer education from grassroots level, the students of 77 per cent schools are deprived of this due to lack of electricity. This is one of the reasons that force guardians to admit their wards in private schools.

“The Digital India dream would not be fulfilled unless all Government schools are equipped with adequate number of computers,” said OSSTA district secretary Pramod Panda.

“In the age of competition, students of Government schools should get all facilities that are available in private schools. It is a matter of regret that so many schools in Subarnapur district don’t have power connections,” lamented a teacher. He demanded that power connected and computer provided to each school at the earliest.

According to information, out of 134 schools in Sonepur block, 103 have no power connection and 12 out of 20 schools in Sonepur town lack electricity. Similarly, in Binika block, 103 out of 133 schools and, in Tarabha block, 133 out of 174 schools have no power connections. Similarly, seven of 12 schools in Tarbha civic body lack the facility. Out 168 schools, 127 have no power supply in Dunguripali block and, out of 188 schools n Ullunda block, 148 lack the facility. Out of 176 schools in Birmaharajpur block, 142 schools have no electricity.