Odisha Has Revolutionized Educational Landscape under Leadership of CM Naveen Patnaik: S&ME Dept

Bhubaneswar: School & Mass Education Department is proud to commemorate its remarkable achievements over the past four years, marked by the successful implementation of various innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of education in Odisha. Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the state has revolutionized the educational landscape and provided students with greater opportunities for growth and success.

Alluding to the accomplishment of various ideological objectives outlined in the State Government’s Manifesto-2019, Sudam Marndi, Minister, S&ME Department emphasized that the state government has successfully fulfilled nearly all promises made in the domain of school and mass education.Following an extensive assessment and review of the noteworthy initiatives and schemes implemented by the School & Mass Education Department, led by the Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri Naveen Patnaik at Lokaseva Bhawan today, Marndi said, “The department has introduced a range of ground-breaking initiatives with the aim of revolutionizing the educational experience for students across the state. These initiatives have focused on fostering academic excellence, promoting inclusivity, and preparing students for a rapidly evolving future. By taking stringent and closely monitored steps, Odisha has surpassed the national average in the realm of education sector, showcasing outstanding performance in Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2020-21 and National Achievement Survey (NAS)-2021,” he quoted.

Promises fulfilled-

During last 4 years,as part of broad policy target of the Deptt. of S&ME as outlined in the manifesto of the Government following is the achievements which have been achieved till date.

Allocation for Mass Education surges in budget

School & Mass Education sector has received a major allocation in the Budget for 2023-24 fiscal with the state Government earmarking ₹22527.80 crore. During 2000-01, budgetary allocation under S&ME Dept was only 1430.88 Crores. Since then it has increased by 21,000 cr from 2001 to 2023. Further, percentage of increase of budgetary allocation from 2018-19 to 2023-24 is 55.97%. The Government’s commitment to providing holistic and learner-centric education has been a driving force behind the rapid infrastructural makeover of educational institutions across Odisha.

Performance & Achievements

World-class infrastructure to translate the vision of Nua Odisha

HST-5T – High School Transformation under5T initiative of Govt has been completed for 3 phases in which 6123 no. of schools have been transformed. Smart Classroom, E-Library, Science Laboratory, Drinkingwater and sanitation, sports infrastructure, facelift of surroundings have been part of all HST-5T Schools. By December2023, 4th phase of HST-5T initiative will be completed and thereby transforming entire High School ecosystem of the state. As part of academic transformation under HST-5T, e-content, 21st century skills, assessment reforms have been incorporated as futuristic intervention for aspiring children of Odisha. Parents Teacher meetings are being organised every quarter to see to ensure structured communication between parents and teachers.

OAVs – As promised, a total of 315 OAVs (Odisha AdarshaVidyalayas) covering all blocks of Odisha, along with 313 academic buildings, 170 girls’ hostels, and 32 boys’ hostels, have been constructed and made operational across the state. The CBSE-affiliated model schools are providing quality education to meritorious children from rural areas, offering residential accommodation, transportation, infrastructural support, and state-of-the-art teaching facilities. As a result, within just 7 years of establishment, OAVs have witnessed a whopping increase in student enrolment in both rural and urban Odisha. Adding to this remarkable achievement, OAV Ranibhol in Mayurbhanj and OAV Hatiota in Ganjam ranked among the top 10 schools in the Education World India School Rankings for 2022.

Mo School Abhiyan: Scaling new heights

To build future-ready edu-system, Mo School Abhiyan, the one-of-its-kind initiative of the state government has been closely working with alumni and community members to equip the future generations with creativity, curiosity, competency and capability. Apart from infrastructure development, schools across Odisha have witnessed a big uptick in academics after the alumni & community members took charge and led the change in order to accelerate the school’s development process. Within a span of just 5 years, Mo School has successfully collaborated with over 30 lakh alumni and community members, resulting in the transformation of 50,263 schools through various interventions. Further, Mo School took up School Adoption Programme where in eminent persons having willingness to contribute to their schools can intervene in both academic and non academic activities.

Breaking new ground in teacher recruitment

In the largest ever recruitment executed at one go in Odisha’s history, the department has appointed record number teachers in last 2-3 years. The ground-breaking feat has helped in improving the pupil-teacher ratio significantly in both elementary and secondary schools. With this new record, Odisha has set a benchmark for other states to follow, highlighting the importance of investing in education and creating a strong foundation for the development of its youth. Snippet of recruitment of teachers already done and under pipeline is given as below.

DigiLocker: Streamlining Digital Document Storage

In-a-first, the Council for Higher Secondary Education and Board of Secondary Education have implemented the DigiLocker facility for storing and accessing certificates, mark sheets, and other important documents of students.This virtual locker ensures the safekeeping of documents, eliminating the risk of theft or loss. With the DigiLocker system in place, students can conveniently access their educational documents whenever needed, providing them with a secure and hassle-free method of preserving their academic records.

Exceptional Performance in 10th Board Exam

In the recently announced 10th Board results, students of government & government-aided schools have once again proven their mettle by securing top positions and scoring impressive marks. Some of highlights are as below.
 3222 schools achieved 100% result, elevating the level of excellence.
 4158 students secured more than 90% and 2,30,895 students scored above 60%.
 A total of 5,12,460 students passed the examination, taking the pass percentage to 96.19.
Progressive HR Policy
• Ex-gratia amount has been increased from ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh for all Government aided schools of Odisha.
• In case of permanent incapacitation, the amount has been enhanced from Rs.1.5Lakhs to 2.5 Lakhs.
• Monthly consolidated remuneration for outsourced employees of OSEPA has been increased.
• Starting from the fiscal year 2022-23, the remuneration for Multi- Lingual Education (MLE) Education Volunteers has been increased from ₹3200 to ₹5379 per month.
• The state government has extended the Grant-in-Aid to the employees of New Aided Educational Institutions as per 7th Pay Commission with effect from 1st Jan’22

Odisha: Performance Matrix

Odisha has clinched the top ranks in largest ever schools ranking survey with its progressive policies and reforming strategies. The state has improved its score in the performance grading index 2020-21(PGI), a unique index for evidence based comprehensive analysis of school education system across State/UTs and climbed four notches to occupy the 10th slot at Level III( >850). The state has improved its scores in domains like infrastructure and facilities, equity, learning outcomes and quality, access to education, governance processes and secured 877 points out of 1000 to make it to level-III.

Major Schemes/Programmes:

i. Under 5T charters, the department has taken up High School Transformation Programme and transformed a total of 6123 high schools across the state in three phases. The transformed schools have been equipped with smart classrooms, e-library, modern science laboratory, advance sports facilities and state-of-the-art campuses. All the High Schools of the state will be transformed under 5T High School Transformation Programme by December 2023.

ii. House System will be introduced in both elementary and secondary schools with an aim to promote leadership and interpersonal skills among students, foster creativity, encourage healthy competition & enhance student engagement & participation.

iii. With an aim to nurture students with future ready skills, the School & Mass Education Department has decided to introduce four clubs in all secondary schools across Odisha. The proposed clubs are:
 Jigyansa – Science, Nature & Culture Exploration Club
 SahityaSrujani – Literary & Artistic Club
 Kaushali – Computing (ICT) & Social Innovation Club
 Kridangan – Sports and life skill development Club

iv. The state government has taken initiatives to ensure free education for girls, STs, SCs, minorities, backward classes, and economically disadvantaged students from class I to class VIII. All ST and SC students up to class IX and X receive free textbooks, while students in class IX at government schools, government-aided schools, Sanskrit Tolls, Madrasas, and OAVs are provided with free bicycles. The state has increased the allocation for a bicycle from ₹2600 to ₹3500 under the GangadharMeherSiksha Manaka BruddhiYojana starting from the fiscal year 2023-24.

v. As part of providing free and compulsory education to all children of the state, MukhyamantriChatrachatriParidhanaYojana will be introduced from FY 2023-24 to provide uniforms to all students studying in class-IX & X of government and government aided schools. The new initiative will ensure that all students have access to free uniforms. Previously, uniforms were provided to students of classes I to VIII.

vi. As allocated in State Budget 2023-24, the amount for provision of school uniform and accessories for both elementary and secondary school students will be enhanced from ₹600 to ₹1000.

vii. The School & Mass Education Department has introduced Aspirational Curriculum & Academic Enrichment Programme to bridge the gaps in educational quality and empower students with the necessary skills and knowledge for a brighter future. The Aspirational Curriculum has brought in the introduction of Project-Based Learning, Book Review, IT and Coding, Sports and Activity-based Life Skills. Furthermore, schools will be introduced to Academic Calendars, Student Diaries, School Clubs, and the House System in the current academic year.

viii. In-a-first, the state government has launched MukhyaMantriSikhyaPuraskar to encourage healthy competition and recognition of excellence for the transformed schools and other schools of the state. Each year, a total of ₹138 Cr will be allocated to present these awards to approximately 53,618 students, 1019 teachers, and other contributors who have made noteworthy efforts towards strengthening the school education ecosystem in Odisha.

ix. Considering the high percentage of success rate in matriculation examination, the state government is all set to open 106 new Higher Secondary schools from the academic session of 2023-24.Additionally, it has been decided to increase the number of Plus II seats in HSSs across Odisha to meet the shortage of seats.