KP Sharma
While the ministry reports the success of the Education Flagship Programme implemented in the 12th plan, there remains substantial inadequacies in access to internet and ICT facilities in schools across the country.
As per the Annual Education Statistics (AES) 2024, there has been no progress in the number of schools without internet access in the last three years, despite the ministry claiming that there is improvement with the ongoing implementation of the iSherig ICT Masterplan.
The data, however, shows otherwise, with the figure remaining unchanged over this period.
The data shows that 35.2 percent of schools, or about 200 out of 566, do not have internet connectivity.
Breaking the data by school type, 37.2 percent of public schools lack internet access, while the figure is 2.9 percent for private schools.
In 2024, there were 540 public schools and 26 private schools in the country.
ICT resources in schools are also limited. The student-to-computer ratio in public schools is 8:1, while private schools have a ratio of 13:1.
On average, there are 10 students per computer across all schools.
Further, the lack of ICT infrastructure is not limited to schools alone. Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centre also lack essential facilities, including computers and printers.
However, Education Minister Yeezang De Thapa, during the Meet-the-Press session in October 2024, stated that almost all schools are connected to the government fiber network, with 67 schools benefiting from campus-wide internet access.
One of the targets in the 13th plan is to improve the student-to-computer ratio from 10:1 to 5:1, according to the minister.
Lyonpo also said that the SMART classroom initiative is being implemented, equipping schools with at least one projection device, interactive boards, and improved internet connectivity to support technology-integrated learning environments.
The ministry is working to advance digital teaching and learning resources, including e-textbooks and multimedia tools, and is reviewing the IT curriculum to include emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, data science, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things. here are also efforts to develop accessible digital content for students with disabilities to
ensure inclusivity in digital learning.
The gaps in internet access and resources remain despite the previous government allocating a budget of Nu 0.9 billion (Nu 900 million) for the education flagship programme, which focused on digitising schools across all dzongkhags and enhancing the digital skills of both teachers and students.
Some of the initiatives under the programme included the installation of computers, connecting schools to high-speed fibre optics, and making ICT a mandatory subject from classes PP to XII.
Former Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering highlighted his government’s achievement during a Meet-the-Press session in December 2022, stating that all schools were equipped with internet facilities and IT labs.
As part of the initiative, the ministry also distributed computers and projectors to all schools, including extended classrooms (ECRs), ensuring fair distribution based on specific criteria.
Each ECR and small primary school received at least five computers and one projector.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) also pledged to equip all schools with ICT-enabled teaching-learning facilities, including high-speed internet connectivity and smart classrooms, during their election campaign.