Odisha CM pushes for quality upgrades in SC/ST hostels and schools

Bhubaneswar, July 16: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today chaired a review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan, focusing on the initiatives of the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department. During the session, the Chief Minister emphasized the enhancement of food quality in department-run hostels catering to scheduled tribe and scheduled caste children. He underscored the importance of health, safety, and hygiene standards in these facilities, urging regular visits by ministers and secretaries to ensure effective management.
Highlighting educational reforms, it was announced that 14 high schools in the state have been approved for conversion into higher secondary schools, with a directive to convert at least 10 more this year. The Chief Minister stressed the need for additional upgrades to high schools to curb dropout rates.
Regarding hostel facilities in tribal-dominated districts, plans were detailed for upgrading 301 hostels in Koraput district as part of the first phase. The Chief Minister advocated for similar improvements across all tribal areas, urging accelerated implementation.
The meeting also addressed the establishment of Eklavya Model Schools, with 32 schools already operational out of the 114 approved for Odisha. Efforts are underway to expedite clearances, especially for forest land, to ensure timely setup of these schools, including 15 new schools slated to open this year.