Pune: Thousands of Schools in Maharashtra Lack Basic Digital and Sanitation Facilities, UDISE Plus 2024-25 Report Shows

Pune, 16th October 2025: Despite the push for Digital India and initiatives aimed at equipping students with modern technologies like artificial intelligence, recent statistics reveal a stark contrast in school infrastructure across Maharashtra. According to the Union Ministry of Education’s UDISE Plus 2024-25 report, a significant number of schools in the state still lack essential facilities.

The report, which covers 1,82,250 schools in Maharashtra, shows that 25,958 schools do not have computer facilities for teaching, 30,166 schools are without internet access, and 5,567 schools do not have electricity. In addition, 6,964 schools lack functional toilets for girls, while 10,189 schools do not have functional toilets for boys.

On the positive side, the report also highlights that 1,02,432 schools have playgrounds, 1,06,653 schools have libraries, and 12,137 schools feature digital libraries. Solar panels are installed in 21,097 schools, and 1,01,286 schools have functional toilets for girls, with 98,061 schools having functional toilets for boys. Around 78,084 schools have internet connectivity, 89,346 schools have computer facilities, and 82,992 schools have functional computers for teaching purposes.

Accessibility for students with special needs remains a concern. While 88,287 schools have ramps and handrails, 19,963 schools do not. Similarly, 67,668 schools have toilets for students with special needs, whereas 40,582 schools are without them. The report also points out that 8,152 schools operate with just a single teacher.

Maharashtra has a total of 7,47,501 teachers working across all managements, including government, private, aided, and local body schools. This includes 1,38,219 teachers at the primary level, 2,14,144 at the upper primary level, 1,87,255 at the secondary level, and 2,21,883 at the higher secondary level.

Speaking on the report, Sachindra Pratap Singh, Education Commissioner, said, “Schools without facilities like computers, electricity, or internet are often located in remote areas with low enrollment. However, these facilities are provided in central schools, and the District Planning Committee (DPDC) allows for infrastructure development in other schools. The government is striving for the overall development of students.”

Vikram Adsul, Convenor of Kritisheel Shiksha Maharashtra, stressed the need for improvement, saying, “In the era of changing technology, it is crucial to develop facilities in schools to empower students. Even schools in remote areas deserve equal attention from the government to ensure they are not left behind.”

The UDISE Plus 2024-25 report underscores both progress and gaps in Maharashtra’s education system, highlighting the urgent need for focused infrastructure development to meet modern educational demands.