SUCHISMITA SAHU, OP
Bhubaneswar: Despite several schemes launched by the central and state governments to provide quality education and equip students with digital learning skills, implementation delays have raised questions over the delivery of these initiatives in Odisha. Both the Centre and state governments have been spending substantial amounts on digital education infrastructure. However, delays at various stages have affected implementation.
The installation of smart classrooms and information and communication technology (ICT) labs in schools is the latest example. Information obtained under the Right to Information Act and from OSEPA shows that requests for proposals (RFPs) were prepared for installation of smart classrooms in 4,483 schools across the state. As the work had been delayed for a long time, a target was set to complete the tender process by July 15, 2026, and finish the installation work by Sept. 15, 2026, following approval by the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) project committee.
Similarly, the process for setting up ICT labs in 1,672 schools was scheduled to begin in July. The delays have also raised questions over the pace at which the state’s digital education initiatives are being implemented. According to information available, a total of Rs 180.46 crore has been budgeted under the Samagra Shiksha scheme for 2025-26 for setting up smart classrooms and information and communication technology (ICT) labs. Smart classrooms will be established in 4,121 schools and ICT labs in 1,672 schools.
Similarly, closed-circuit television cameras, smart TVs and language labs will be installed in all 762 PM SHRI schools in the state. Although tenders have been floated for smart TVs for 462 schools in the first phase and 300 schools in the second phase, the installation work has been considerably delayed. Meanwhile, in 2024-25, a tender worth Rs 8.68 crore was approved for setting up smart classrooms in 362 upper primary schools. For the project, the department had provided Rs 3.47 crore to the Odisha Knowledge Corporation Limited (OKCL) through the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC).
