Bhubaneswar, August 26: Chief Secretary Anu Garg reviewed the progress of the Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Primary School Scheme at the first meeting of the State-Level Steering Committee held at Lok Seva Bhavan.

A total of 322 schools are covered under the scheme, including 118 in the first phase and 204 in the second phase. The Chief Secretary directed implementing agencies to expedite construction and maintain quality standards.

The meeting discussed allowing rectangular building designs where site conditions make the approved square-shaped plan impractical. Proposals were also made to strengthen technical, academic, administrative and financial resources for monitoring the scheme.

The guidelines may also be amended to allow schools to be established at locations with the highest population concentration within a panchayatwhen suitable land is unavailable at the panchayat headquarters. Land acquisition near proposed school sites was also discussed.

Approved in September 2025, the scheme aims to create modern, child-friendly schoolswith classrooms, Shishu Vatika, staff rooms, offices and other essential facilities.

Anu Garg stressed that providing quality infrastructure, adequate teachers and necessary student facilitiesmust remain the government’s priority. She called for time-bound implementation with high quality standards and a long-term vision to ensure better learning opportunities for children across Odisha.

Development Commissioner Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, School and Mass Education Commissioner-cum-Secretary N. Tirumala Naik and other committee members attended the meeting.