The Delhi Cabinet has approved the Mukhyamantri Digital Education Scheme, aimed at modernising government school infrastructure and empowering students with access to technology. Education Minister Ashish Sood announced the initiative during a press conference on Tuesday, outlining key highlights of the scheme that includes free high-performance laptops for meritorious students and the establishment of 175 state-of-the-art ICT (Information and Communication Technology) labs across the national capital.
As part of the scheme, 1,200 top-performing Class 10 students will receive free laptops with advanced i7 configurations, supporting their academic and digital needs. The total budget earmarked for the scheme stands at ₹8 crore.
Minister Sood emphasized that each ICT lab will feature 40 computers, built in line with CBSE-approved specifications, aiming to bridge the digital divide and align with the broader objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. “This marks a transformative step in preparing Delhi’s youth for the digital future,” he stated.
However, Sood also criticized the previous AAP-led administration, alleging that no functional ICT labs currently exist across the 1,074 government schools in Delhi. He claimed that the existing labs, developed between 2015 and 2019 under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in partnership with the central government, are now non-operational.
In response, an Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson dismissed the allegations, accusing the minister of engaging in political blame games. “Instead of repeatedly targeting the former government, the minister should initiate a proper investigation through the Anti-Corruption Branch if there is any substance in his claims,” the spokesperson said.
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Contradicting the minister’s assertions, some school officials claimed that their ICT facilities remain operational. A school principal, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “Our computer lab is fully functional with 40 working systems.”
The Mukhyamantri Digital Education Scheme aims not only to enhance access to technology for students but also to lay the foundation for future-ready learning environments in government schools, promising a digitally empowered education landscape for Delhi.
