Ratlam District Equips 42,000 Primary Students With Benches and Launches Digital Learning Program

A survey of government primary schools in Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh, found that hundreds of schools lacked basic furniture, leaving students to sit on bare floors. In response, the district administration launched the Gyanodaya – Shala Unnayan Abhiyan campaign to install more than 21,000 bench-desks across 1,011 primary schools, reaching over 42,000 students.

The furniture drive used an open adoption model that combined corporate social responsibility contributions, Member of Legislative Assembly funds, and direct village participation. A transparent system of standard operating procedures, Google Forms, authorised vendor lists, and a public helpline allowed donors to select specific schools for support.

As of the report, around 200 schools have received benches and nearly 100 schools have been repaired, with rainwater harvesting structures added to extend building life. District officials stated that no student in these schools sits on the floor anymore.

With infrastructure improved, the administration introduced E-Gyan Setu, a digital learning programme for Classes IX and X in 100 government secondary schools. Sixteen subject experts created video lectures, bridge courses, chapter-wise material, revision modules, worksheets, and AI-assisted content mapped to the curriculum, delivered through existing smart classroom hardware.

The programme includes fortnightly assessments to identify learning gaps for remedial support. Plans are underway for a dedicated recording studio and content in local languages such as Malvi and Bhili. Officials emphasised that the technology supplements rather than replaces conventional teaching.

To support learning beyond school hours, the district launched a Public Rural Library Initiative across its six Janpad Panchayats. Unused government buildings are being converted into study centres with seating, computers, internet access, and a calm environment for a nominal hourly fee.

Self-Help Group women will manage the centres while operating adjoining Didi Cafes, linking education infrastructure with livelihood opportunities. The libraries are funded through Fifteenth Finance Commission grants.

IAS officer Vaishali Jain, Chief Executive Officer of Ratlam Zila Panchayat and Additional Collector, noted that education results require consistent effort and may take a year or more to become visible. Her teams continue working in tribal blocks, meeting parents, tracking attendance, and upgrading facilities with the goal of making government schools that children want to attend.