Ranchi: Jharkhand’s school infrastructure shows a split trend, with digital education expanding sharply even as some core utilities and sanitation indicators slipped marginally, according to the recently released ‘Unified district information system for education plus (UDISE+), 2025-26’ report published by the Union ministry of education.The strongest gains were recorded in digital learning assets. The share of schools with computer facilities rose to 81.2% in 2025-26 from 76% in 2024-25. Schools with functional computers, especially for pedagogical purposes, increased to 57.1% from 43.6%. Internet connectivity also improved, rising to 60.4% from 57.9%.The digital push reached classrooms too. Schools equipped with functional smart classrooms using digital boards, smart boards, virtual classrooms or smart TVs increased to 17.5% from 14.8%. Power availability improved slightly, with functional electricity connections moving up to 93.2% from 92.7%.Eco-friendly campus initiatives posted small gains. Kitchen gardens were reported in 31% of schools, up from 27.7%. Functional rainwater harvesting systems rose to 24.6% from 23.9%, while solar panel availability edged up to 14.9% from 14.4%.However, the report flagged a mild decline in essential sanitation facilities. Total functional school toilets fell to 95.6% from 96.5% in 2024-25. Functional boys’ toilets dropped to 93.9% from 94.8%, while functional girls’ toilets declined to 95% from 95.9%. Functional drinking water facilities also dipped marginally to 98.7% from 98.8%. Hand-washing facilities, however, improved to 94.1% from 93.8%.Learning support infrastructure showed modest improvement. Schools with a campus library, book bank or reading corner rose to 95.1% from 94.7%. But practical science infrastructure in secondary sections weakened, with schools having integrated science laboratories falling to 57.2% from 58.1%.Co-curricular spaces remained scarce and nearly unchanged. Rooms for arts, crafts or co-curricular activities were available in only 9.8% of schools, barely higher than 9.7% recorded earlier. The data points to rapid progress in digital access and gradual green infrastructure improvements, while highlighting the need to protect basic amenities such as toilets, drinking water and secondary science facilities across Jharkhand’s schools as enrolment and classroom needs continue to evolve statewide in coming years. EOMGFXDigital Progress & Classroom ModernisationSchools with computer facility: 81.2% in 2025-26 (Up from 76.0% in 2024-25)Functional computers for pedagogical use: 57.1% in 2025-26 (Up from 43.6% in 2024-25)Schools with internet facility: 60.4% in 2025-26 (Up from 57.9% in 2024-25)Functional Smart Classrooms (Smart TVs/Digital Boards): 17.5% in 2025-26 (Up from 14.8% in 2024-25)Sanitation & Core Infrastructure DipsTotal functional toilet facility: 95.6% in 2025-26 (Down from 96.5% in 2024-25)Functional girl’s toilet facility: 95.0% in 2025-26 (Down from 95.9% in 2024-25)Functional boy’s toilet facility: 93.9% in 2025-26 (Down from 94.8% in 2024-25)Functional drinking water facility: 98.7% in 2025-26 (Down from 98.8% in 2024-25)Hand wash facility: 94.1% in 2025-26 (Up from 93.8% in 2024-25)Basic Utilities & Academic SupportFunctional electricity connection: 93.2% in 2025-26 (Up from 92.7% in 2024-25)Library/Book Bank/Reading Corner: 95.1% in 2025-26 (Up from 94.7% in 2024-25)Integrated Science Labs (Secondary sections): 57.2% in 2025-26 (Down from 58.1% in 2024-25)Co-curricular/arts and crafts room: 9.8% in 2025-26 (Up from 9.7% in 2024-25)Green Campus Initiatives & Co-curricularsKitchen garden availability: 31.0% in 2025-26 (Up from 27.7% in 2024-25)Functional Rain Water Harvesting: 24.6% in 2025-26 (Up from 23.9% in 2024-25)Solar Panels availability: 14.9% in 2025-26 (Up from 14.4% in 2024-25)