In a significant push to enhance digital education, the Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratories in government secondary schools across the state. This initiative directly targets the development of crucial 21st-century skills among students.
Massive Rollout: Labs in Over a Thousand Schools
The state administration has sanctioned the creation of ICT labs in 1,044 government secondary schools. This large-scale project is designed to systematically foster digital literacy, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities in the student community. To ensure effective execution, the government has appointed the Uttar Pradesh Leather Corporation (UPLC) as the official implementing agency for this scheme.
Following the designation, UPLC has already issued the necessary work orders to three selected companies who will be responsible for the physical setup and installation of these labs. This marks a concrete step towards translating the policy into on-ground reality.
Infrastructure and Inspection Mandate
A crucial prerequisite for the installation is ensuring a reliable power supply. The concerned schools have been explicitly instructed to guarantee an electricity connection in the classrooms designated for the ICT labs. In cases where power infrastructure is currently unavailable, authorities have been directed to make immediate arrangements to fulfil this requirement.
To oversee the preparatory work and ensure compliance, Secondary Education Director Mahendra Dev has issued specific orders. He has instructed all District Inspectors of Schools (DIOS) to personally conduct thorough site inspections of the selected schools in their jurisdictions. The purpose of these inspections is to verify that all necessary arrangements, including power supply, are firmly in place before the installation process begins.
Strict Guidelines for Academic Use Only
Emphasising the academic purpose of this expensive infrastructure, the government has laid down strict usage rules. Director Mahendra Dev has clearly stated that ICT labs will be strictly reserved for academic and teaching purposes only. Any deviation from this mandate will not be tolerated.
In his official order, Dev issued a stern warning, stating, "Strict action will be taken against principals and teachers if the ICT lab is used for any purpose beyond academics." This underscores the administration's commitment to ensuring that the facilities directly contribute to educational outcomes and are not misused.
This comprehensive initiative by the UP government represents a major investment in modernising the state's educational framework. By providing hands-on access to technology, it aims to bridge the digital divide and equip students in government schools with the skills necessary for future academic and professional success.
