Gurgaon: Lack of internet connectivity, power backup and maintenance has derailed digital learning in govt schools in Faridabad.

Despite a major push in 2018-19 to digitise education by installing smartboards, over 30 institutions say these boards have been gathering dust. In many cases, funds for repair work haven’t been sanctioned at all or have lapsed.

“We were really excited when the digital boards were installed,” said a science teacher at a govt school in Sector 29. She said the boards stopped working within a year. “We have complained many times but nothing has been done. We can’t access the content without internet, and without repairs, it’s just a black screen hanging on a wall,” she said.

With complaints mounting and people asking questions, the district education department has issued orders to schools to repair the boards and resume digital classes. School heads and principals have been directed to ensure that all lessons are conducted using these boards.

The circular has also warned that principals and headmasters found negligent may be held accountable. “We’ve instructed all schools to prioritise digital learning and restore the boards,” said deputy district education officer Dr Manoj Mittal. “This technology is essential for improving the quality of education,” he added.

However, teachers argue that unless infrastructural issues are addressed, merely issuing orders isn’t likely to help the cause.

“How are we supposed to repair something without funding,” said the principal of Sector 37 school. “We are being told to use digital boards while teaching but no technician has visited our schools in years to fix the boards. We have no maintenance budget to hire anyone independently.” The state’s push for digital learning now risks becoming a cautionary tale.