Analysis of Cyber Safety Orientation in Government Schools in India An Examination of UDISEPlus 2021-22 Data

In today’s digital age, where children are increasingly exposed to online risks, ensuring cyber safety has become paramount. Recognizing the importance of educating students on cyber safety, the Government of India has taken proactive measures to prioritize this aspect of education in government and government-aided schools. This article seeks to analyze the data on cyber safety orientation in these schools at both the All India and state levels, shedding light on the significance and outcomes of these efforts.

Analysis at the All India Level

According to available data, there are a total of 650,146 government and government-aided schools in India. Among these, it is heartening to note that 8 percent of primary schools, 15.9 percent of upper primary schools, 24 percent of secondary schools, and 25.2 percent of higher secondary schools provide orientation on cyber safety to students. While these percentages indicate a positive trend, there is still ample room for improvement across all education levels.

Analysis at the State Level

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: In this region, 23.8 percent of primary schools, 43.9 percent of upper primary schools, 50 percent of secondary schools, and 46.4 percent of higher secondary schools provide orientation on cyber safety. These figures underscore commendable efforts in promoting cyber safety education.

Andhra Pradesh: With 15.28 percent of primary schools, 44.4 percent of upper primary schools, 42.8 percent of secondary schools, and 42.3 percent of higher secondary schools offering orientation on cyber safety, Andhra Pradesh stands among the states actively focusing on cyber safety education.

Number of Government & Government-Aided Schools Providing Orientation on Cyber Safety to Students by Education Level and Management, 2021-22

 

India/  State/ UT	Number of Government and Government Aided Schools providing orientation on cyber safety to students				Percentage of Government and Government Aided Schools providing orientation on cyber safety to students
	Primary	Upper Primary	Secondary	Higher Secondary	Primary	Upper Primary	Secondary	Higher Secondary
All India	52143	46615	20018	19577	8.0	15.9	24.0	25.2
Andaman and Nicobar Islands	44	25	23	26	23.8	43.9	50.0	46.4
Andhra Pradesh	5416	951	3194	431	15.6	22.2	49.0	35.1
Arunachal Pradesh	36	35	40	33	2.1	3.5	17.2	24.6
Assam	1456	390	464	219	4.2	4.5	10.9	14.2
Bihar	649	709	79	141	1.6	2.7	3.1	2.0
Chandigarh	4	12	49	39	50.0	100.0	90.7	69.6
Chhattisgarh	2826	2182	436	775	9.2	16.4	22.4	25.5
Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu	44	144	27	30	26.4	88.3	87.1	85.7
Delhi	495	25	87	865	29.6	64.1	71.3	73.5
Goa	41	13	226	51	5.2	19.4	56.5	46.8
Gujarat	3519	10619	1140	1356	28.1	51.4	37.6	33.6
Haryana	1852	716	408	892	21.3	29.2	36.8	38.1
Himachal Pradesh	1064	377	267	547	10.1	19.3	28.3	28.5
Jammu and Kashmir	926	1022	542	348	7.1	13.4	30.9	41.7
Jharkhand	945	1191	363	245	4.3	9.8	19.0	21.0
Karnataka	1910	3508	2740	407	9.0	14.2	32.0	17.3
Kerala	3596	1816	530	1233	60.3	52.1	68.1	62.8
Ladakh	7	20	16	17	2.0	5.2	18.8	38.6
Lakshadweep	4	1	0	8	25.0	11.1	0.0	61.5
Madhya Pradesh	3791	2449	1285	1445	6.4	9.8	26.1	30.3
Maharashtra	3994	3662	2440	1350	8.6	14.7	20.3	20.7
Manipur	9	9	20	19	0.4	1.5	4.3	19.6
Meghalaya	88	81	50	28	1.1	2.6	7.2	16.4
Mizoram	16	21	15	6	1.3	2.1	3.4	9.7
Nagaland	34	36	24	16	3.3	5.8	9.4	28.6
Odisha	1727	1527	1080	150	6.3	8.7	12.5	11.3
Puducherry	53	24	40	42	22.5	50.0	44.0	52.5
Punjab	1339	721	799	1064	10.4	28.4	44.4	42.8
Rajasthan	3390	7538	1599	5038	10.0	38.7	42.6	42.3
Sikkim	40	31	48	28	8.3	17.9	38.4	26.9
Tamil Nadu	0	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Telangana	334	95	846	98	1.7	2.8	14.3	7.3
Tripura	52	32	67	75	2.4	2.8	11.0	17.3
Uttar Pradesh	7489	5710	259	676	8.5	11.6	12.5	11.7
Uttarakhand	1040	454	285	638	9.0	16.3	28.8	35.2
West Bengal	3913	469	530	1241	5.8	7.0	19.1	18.0

Source: UDISE+ 2021-22

Rajasthan: Rajasthan exhibits relatively lower percentages, with 10 percent of primary schools, 38.7 percent of upper primary schools, 42.6 percent of secondary schools, and 42.3 percent of higher secondary schools providing orientation on cyber safety. Efforts should be directed towards increasing these numbers to ensure comprehensive cyber safety education.

Sikkim: In Sikkim, 8.3 percent of primary schools, 17.9 percent of upper primary schools, 38.4 percent of secondary schools, and 26.9 percent of higher secondary schools offer orientation on cyber safety. While the primary and upper primary school percentages are lower, the higher secondary school level demonstrates a commendable commitment to cyber safety education.

Tamil Nadu: Regrettably, the data indicates that no schools in Tamil Nadu currently provide cyber safety orientation. The authorities must address this gap promptly and prioritize cyber safety education in the state.

Arunachal Pradesh:

• Primary schools: 6 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Upper primary schools: 22.2 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Secondary schools: 49.0 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Higher secondary schools: 35.1 percent provide cyber safety orientation.

Assam:

• Primary schools: 16.85 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Upper primary schools: 10.02 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Secondary schools: 2.32 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Higher secondary schools: 1.34 percent provide cyber safety orientation.

Bihar:

• Primary schools: 40.56 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Upper primary schools: 25.99 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Secondary schools: 2.51 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Higher secondary schools: 7.22 percent provide cyber safety orientation.

Chandigarh:

• Primary schools: 8 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Upper primary schools: 12 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Secondary schools: 54 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Higher secondary schools: 56 percent provide cyber safety orientation.

Chhattisgarh:

• Primary schools: 30.89 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Upper primary schools: 13.28 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Secondary schools: 19.49 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Higher secondary schools: 30.35 percent provide cyber safety orientation.

Telangana:

• Primary schools: 20.08 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Upper primary schools: 33.79 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Secondary schools: 59.13 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Higher secondary schools: 13.51 percent provide cyber safety orientation.

Tripura:

• Primary schools: 21.37 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Upper primary schools: 11.26 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Secondary schools: 6.09 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Higher secondary schools: 4.33 percent provide cyber safety orientation.

Uttar Pradesh:

• Primary schools: 87.96 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Upper primary schools: 49.33 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Secondary schools: 2.06 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Higher secondary schools: 5.76 percent provide cyber safety orientation.

Uttarakhand:

• Primary schools: 11.51 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Upper primary schools: 2.778 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Secondary schools: 9.91 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
• Higher secondary schools: 18.12 percent provide cyber safety orientation.

West Bengal:

1. Primary schools: 67.08 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
2. Upper primary schools: 6.663 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
3. Secondary schools: 27.77 percent provide cyber safety orientation.
4. Higher secondary schools: 68.82 percent provide cyber safety orientation.

Concluding Observations

Cyber safety orientation in government and government-aided schools equips students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world safely. While the percentages vary at the state level, seeing several states actively promoting cyber safety education is encouraging. Efforts should continue across all education levels to increase these percentages and ensure a comprehensive approach to cyber safety in government schools nationwide. Additionally, states without any existing cyber safety orientation programs must prioritize this aspect of education to safeguard students from online threats and facilitate responsible digital citizenship.

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