Bhubaneswar: ​The learning environment for thousands of children in Odisha faces a significant challenge as over 1,500 government schools across the state currently operate without electricity. Nityananda Gond, the State's School and Mass Education Minister, shared this troubling information in the State Assembly on Friday in Bhubaneswar. This revelation immediately raises serious concerns about the basic facilities available to young students and the quality of their education. 
Odisha Power Crisis: 1,500+ Schools Lack Electricity


​Infrastructure Gaps Affecting Education

​Minister Gond was addressing questions regarding the state of school infrastructure when he provided these details. He explained that these gaps persist primarily because of issues with connectivity and delays in departmental coordination.
 ​The data shows a clear breakdown of the affected institutions. A total of 1,579 schools lack electricity. This number includes 1,289 primary schools and 290 upper-primary schools.
 ​Odisha manages a large network of 48,522 government schools in total. The fact that over 1,500 institutions remain without a basic service like electricity means a notable number of children are missing out on a modern learning environment. While the state has made good progress in infrastructure development in recent years, these figures clearly show the need for faster action. Electricity is crucial for running computers, operating lights and fans, and supporting digital learning tools. Without it, the learning process becomes much more difficult, especially during hot weather or cloudy days.

​Sanitation and Toilet Facilities Also a Concern

​In addition to the electricity issue, the Minister also highlighted a sanitation problem. The Assembly learned that 114 schools still do not have functional toilet facilities.
 ​This lack of proper sanitation has a significant impact beyond just hygiene. It directly affects student attendance, especially for girls. Providing separate and clean toilets is an essential step in encouraging girls to stay in school. The current data strongly points to an urgent need for swift intervention to build and repair these essential facilities.

​Call for Accelerated Action

​These statistics underscore a pressing demand for accelerated action to close the infrastructure gap across all of Odisha’s government schools. The government must treat the provision of electricity and proper sanitation not just as administrative tasks, but as essential steps for giving every child a safe, supportive, and modern place to learn. Ensuring these basic facilities are available across all schools will significantly improve the daily lives of students and teachers and ultimately enhance the quality of education in the state. The coordination gaps need immediate attention to ensure that all schools quickly receive these vital services.