Punjab govt schools struggle with deteriorating computer education infrastructure

As educational institutions across India embrace e-learning, government schools in Punjab face severe challenges in providing quality computer education. Outdated equipment, crumbling infrastructure and a shortage of qualified staff have left computer labs in disarray, hindering the digital learning experience for thousands of students.

Teachers across the state report that many school computers are nearly 20 years old, with most malfunctioning or non-operational, depriving students of basic computer skills. The absence of air conditioning, broken furniture, faulty electrical wiring and inadequate ventilation worsen the situation, making the labs unfit for learning.

“The batteries of UPS units, which last about three years, have not been replaced, further aggravating the issue,” said Naresh Kumar, a computer teacher who splits his time between three schools weekly. Many teachers face similar situations, forced to manage multiple schools with limited resources.

Launched in 2005, the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES) initiative led to the recruitment of over 7,000 computer teachers to promote digital literacy. Currently, 6,500 teachers are spread across 2,670 middle, 1,740 high, and 1,972 senior secondary schools in Punjab.

Paramvir Singh, leader of the Computer Teachers’ Union, criticised the government for failing to modernise the curriculum. “While the world is moving toward coding and artificial intelligence, we’re stuck in the past. We still teach the basics of C programming, while students elsewhere learn C++, Java, and Python,” Singh said.

In addition to outdated curricula, infrastructure essential for effective computer education is neglected. The N Computing systems installed in 2011, designed to connect multiple workstations to a single CPU, have been non-functional since the service provider withdrew support in 2020, leaving many schools without usable computer labs.

Despite repeated assurances, the government has not resolved these issues. On September 15, 2022, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains promised to grant computer teachers the benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission and implement Civil Service Rules. However, these reforms remain unfulfilled, said union leader Jhony Singla.

Students are increasingly disillusioned with the state of computer education. A Class 8 student from Patiala expressed frustration, noting that most of the time, the computers don’t work, or teachers are unavailable. A Class 9 student from Nabha highlighted the stark contrast between public and private schools: “What’s the point of learning basic computer skills when private school students are already studying advanced topics?”

Tarsem Singh, a resident of Bhadson near Patiala, urged the government to prioritise fixing basic infrastructure before launching ambitious projects like establishing schools of eminence. “Without proper facilities, how can government school students compete with those in private institutions?” he asked.

Educationist Surinderbir Singh, former principal of Guru Nanak Engineering College Ludhiana, warned that the deficiencies in Punjab’s computer education could widen the digital divide between government and private school students. “If not addressed soon, many will be left behind in the race toward a technologically advanced future,” he said.

Education Minister Bains was unavailable for comment.