Naveen Launches ‘Mission Suvidya’ to Improve Basic Services at ST-SC Hostels

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched Mission Suvidya at Lok Seva Bhawan which will ensure quality norms in basic facilities such as safe building, functional toilets, safe drinking water, proper kitchen and dining in ST-SC Development Department hostels.

The Department today signed three agreements, one with Quality Council of India, second with Akshara Foundation and the third with TRIFED. The QCI will conduct a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of ST-SC hostels leading to Quality Assurance and Quality Sustenance with an objective to achieve ISO 9001: 2015 certification for these hostels. QCI DG R. P. Singh and Tribal Affairs Director Sachin Yadav signed the agreement.

Another MoU was signed between Akshara Foundation CEO Ashok Kamath and Sachin Yadav. Akshara Foundation will cooperate and collaborate with the Department to improve learning outcomes of the students. It has developed specific programmes like School Readiness Programme for Grade 1 Students, Classroom/ Hostel Library Programme, digital Learning Solutions and other programmes. The scope of the programme will cover all schools with primary sections under purview of the department in a phased manner benefitting more than two lakh students in the first phase.

The third MoU was signed between Amit Bhatnagar of TRIFED and TDCCOL MD Sarat Mohanty to ensure market linkages to various products produced by tribal artisans and tribal entrepreneurs.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM said, “I am very happy to launch Mission Suvidya that aims at bringing qualitative shift in accommodation facilities provided to students in ST-SC hostels. The Mission has a maximum laid down standard for assuring and sustaining quality with an objective to achieve ISO certification”.

“The ST-SC Development Department runs as many as 6500 hostels with over 5.7 lakh students. Mission Suvidya will provide a congenial atmosphere to all the inmates in a phased manner. It will guarantee quality services in safety and security, health, hygiene, and food provisions for the students. I believe; these complementary provisions will enable the students to focus better on their studies”, he said.

The CM said, “I am glad that the Quality Council of India has joined hands with the State Government to ensure quality certification to the hostels. The partnership with Akshara Foundation for up-scaling quality in learning outcomes, and with TRIFED for providing market linkages to tribal producers are also very encouraging. The endeavour conforms to the objectives of our 5-T initiative. I hope it will have a multiplier effect in the overall quality of education in the State.”

The CM launched the LOGO and unveiled the dashboard of the mission. A short video on the mission was screened. He also released two illustrative booklets on Bathudi and Gandia community.

ST-SC Development Department Minister Jagannath Saraka, Advisor SDC and Advisor Minority Affairs, DC and senior officers were present at the function.