TV
In a significant decision aimed at improving access to education, the Odisha government on Friday announced plans to reopen schools that were previously shut down due to the school merger policy implemented by the previous government.
Minister of School and Mass Education, Nityananda Gond informed the Odisha Assembly that necessary procedural measures are being put in place to facilitate the reopening of these institutions.
Speaking on the matter in Odisha Assembly, the concerned department Minister emphasized that the previous government had carried out the school merger process in an arbitrary manner, without properly assessing its impact on students and local communities.
As per official records, a total of 5,632 schools were merged under the earlier policy, significantly affecting educational accessibility in many regions. Additionally, 2,152 satellite schools were also merged, leading to widespread concerns among parents and educationists about students having to travel long distances for schooling.
New Measures By Odisha Government And Criteria For Reopening
To rectify this situation, the new Odisha government has introduced new guidelines that determine the conditions under which a previously closed school can be reopened. The minister stated that if at least 20 students are enrolled in a school located in a Scheduled Area, or a minimum of 40 students in a school situated in a non-Scheduled Area, the school will be eligible for reopening.
The decision is likely to come as a relief for students and parents, particularly in rural and tribal regions where school closures had severely impacted children's education. By setting these criteria, the Odisha government aims to ensure that students do not have to travel excessively long distances to access basic education, thereby reducing dropout rates and enhancing overall literacy levels in the state, sources said.
