Bhubaneswar: In a major boost for education in the state, the Odisha government has announced two significant initiatives that will benefit students and their families. The state’s School and Mass Education Minister, Nityanand Gond, declared that all school students can now ride government buses to school for free. He also confirmed that every student will receive free textbooks, expanding on a previous policy. 
Minister Gond made this important announcement on Friday. He stated that students only need to show their official school identity cards to travel on government buses without any cost. This new program is designed to make attending school easier and more affordable for families across Odisha. It aims to remove transportation as a barrier to education, ensuring that more children can consistently get to their classrooms.
This initiative complements another key educational policy. The Minister reiterated the government's commitment to providing free textbooks to all school students. This announcement follows a similar declaration made just a day earlier by the new Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi.
The Chief Minister had detailed that the free textbook program will now include all students up to Class 10. This is a substantial expansion of the earlier policy, which provided free books only up to Class 7. Previously, only students from SC/ST communities received free textbooks in Classes 9 and 10. Now, every student in the state-sponsored system will benefit.
Beyond transportation and textbooks, the government outlined a broader vision for improving educational quality. (Minister Gond confirmed that the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) ) will be strengthened and developed on the framework of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). This move is a direct implementation of the National Education Policy and will focus on elevating the standard of teaching and learning across Odisha.
The government's new plans include several other supportive measures. To safeguard student health, the Chief Minister announced the appointment of Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) or health workers in hostels. There will be one health worker for every 300 students to ensure proper medical care and attention.
In a move toward modernizing administration, the process for approving new private schools will become fully digital. (This step is expected to increase transparency and efficiency.) Furthermore, recognizing the unique needs of tribal communities, the government will establish a multilingual education centre in Koraput. This centre will allow tribal children to receive their education in their mother tongue, creating a more inclusive and effective learning environment.
These combined initiatives represent a comprehensive effort by the Odisha government to invest in its future by breaking down financial barriers and enhancing the quality of education for all its students.
Minister Gond made this important announcement on Friday. He stated that students only need to show their official school identity cards to travel on government buses without any cost. This new program is designed to make attending school easier and more affordable for families across Odisha. It aims to remove transportation as a barrier to education, ensuring that more children can consistently get to their classrooms.
This initiative complements another key educational policy. The Minister reiterated the government's commitment to providing free textbooks to all school students. This announcement follows a similar declaration made just a day earlier by the new Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi.
The Chief Minister had detailed that the free textbook program will now include all students up to Class 10. This is a substantial expansion of the earlier policy, which provided free books only up to Class 7. Previously, only students from SC/ST communities received free textbooks in Classes 9 and 10. Now, every student in the state-sponsored system will benefit.
Beyond transportation and textbooks, the government outlined a broader vision for improving educational quality. (Minister Gond confirmed that the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) ) will be strengthened and developed on the framework of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). This move is a direct implementation of the National Education Policy and will focus on elevating the standard of teaching and learning across Odisha.
The government's new plans include several other supportive measures. To safeguard student health, the Chief Minister announced the appointment of Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) or health workers in hostels. There will be one health worker for every 300 students to ensure proper medical care and attention.
In a move toward modernizing administration, the process for approving new private schools will become fully digital. (This step is expected to increase transparency and efficiency.) Furthermore, recognizing the unique needs of tribal communities, the government will establish a multilingual education centre in Koraput. This centre will allow tribal children to receive their education in their mother tongue, creating a more inclusive and effective learning environment.
These combined initiatives represent a comprehensive effort by the Odisha government to invest in its future by breaking down financial barriers and enhancing the quality of education for all its students.
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