Government council schools across Uttar Pradesh are undergoing a massive transformation, driven by the power of digitalisation. The results are striking: the percentage of schools equipped with basic facilities has skyrocketed from a mere 36 per cent in 2017-18 to an impressive 97 per cent as of March 2025.
This success is the result of a strategy focused on technology-based monitoring, transparency, and timely completion of projects. Over the past eight years, all construction and development work has been linked to online portals, mobile apps and real-time dashboards, allowing for direct and constant tracking of progress.
The Transformation by the Numbers
According to departmental data, the improvement in school infrastructure has been dramatic:
- 100 per cent of schools now have separate toilets for boys and girls, toilets with running water, multiple handwashing units, and safe drinking water.
- Availability of special toilets for Children with Special Needs (CWSN) has jumped from 5 per cent to 81 per cent.
- Classrooms with proper tiling have surged from 21 per cent to 92 per cent.
- Schools with adequate furniture have increased from 19 per cent to 72 per cent.
- Essential work like painting and whitewashing is 100 per cent complete across all schools.
Other facilities like ramps, railings, electrification, and equipment are also nearly fully available.
Experts believe this successful development model will serve as an inspiration for other states in the future.
What Do 'Basic Facilities' Include?
A school with "basic facilities" is one that has the necessary infrastructure for quality education and the holistic development of students. This includes:
- Classrooms: Well-lit, airy, and comfortable learning spaces.
- Health & Hygiene: Clean toilets, handwashing stations, and pure drinking water.
- Technology: Smart classrooms and internet connectivity.
- Laboratories: Well-equipped labs for practical learning and experiments.
- Library: A spacious and quiet library for reading and knowledge acquisition.
- Sports & Physical Activities: Playgrounds, sports equipment, and facilities for various games.
- Additional Facilities: Rooms for art and crafts, music, an auditorium, and vocational training centers.