7,000 Madhya Pradesh Schools Lack Electricity

In a stark contrast to the government's claim of electrifying every corner of Madhya Pradesh, around 7,000 government schools in the state still lack power supply. This shortage not only hampers the use of smart classrooms and digital teaching facilities but also affects basic amenities like fans and lighting.

The school education department has assigned three power distribution companies - Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company, Paschim Kshetra, and Poorv Kshetra - to provide electricity connections to these schools. However, the work is yet to be completed in a large number of schools.

According to the companies, the Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company has completed work in about 800 out of 1,600 assigned schools, while the Paschim Kshetra company has covered around 1,800 out of 2,500 schools. In the Poorv Kshetra area, work has been completed in 1,763 out of 2,752 surveyed schools.

MPEB officials cite the absence of buildings, electricity lines, or network expansion requirements as reasons for the delay in providing immediate connections to some schools. The government has approved construction for around 200 building-less primary and secondary schools and 1,816 new buildings for dilapidated schools, along with 5,450 repair works over two years.

One of the primary reasons for the lack of electricity in schools is the absence of buildings, with some schools operating from other buildings, under trees, or in community halls. In some areas, electricity is available but not reaching the schools due to non-payment of connection fees by government departments.

Damodar Jain, a retired Rajya Shiksha Kendra official, attributes the issue to the lengthy process of clearing monthly electricity bills, leading to accumulating dues with MPEB. He suggests that municipal corporations can use education cess funds to install electrical fittings.

The UDISE+ 2025-2026 report presents a different picture, stating that out of 91,199 government schools in Madhya Pradesh, around 82,000 have functional electricity, leaving nearly 10,000 schools without power.

The issue has remained unresolved for years, despite being raised with the 'nagar palika', 'nagar nigam', and MPEB. The lack of electricity in schools hampers the overall learning experience, affecting the education of thousands of students across the state.

In conclusion, the absence of electricity in 7,000 government schools in Madhya Pradesh is a pressing concern that needs to be addressed urgently. The government and power distribution companies must work together to provide electricity connections to these schools, ensuring that students have access to basic amenities and digital learning facilities.