Maharashtra student enrolments improved by 74,856; positive signs after a sharp decline during COVID school closure period: U-DISE report

One of the reasons for the improvement could be the use of technology for teaching which enabled teachers to conduct remote classes as well as bring innovations in teaching. In terms of technology, Maharashtra schools lead the country revealed U-DISE data as it had the highest number of computers being used for pedagogical purposes – 27,327 in 1.09 lakh schools.

According to the latest report of 2021-2022, 48 per cent or nearly one in two schools had an internet connection, a sharp improvement from the last U-DISE report, in which only 36 percent schools had internet facility. It means in one year alone, internet facility expanded to 12 per cent of the 1.09 lakh schools in Maharashtra. In terms of management, the latest U-DISE report showed that 85.6 per cent private unaided schools in Maharashtra had internet connections, a slight improvement from last year when the same percentage was 83. However, the disparity between government and private schools seem to have lessened as compared to 11.82 percent government-run schools which had Internet access last year was 28.3 percent in the latest report

Amongst the other indicators of the U-DISE report, was that 95 percent schools in Maharashtra had electricity connection but only in 85 percent schools, the electricity connection was functional.