Bhubaneswar, July 12: In order to strengthen access to education and learning infrastructure, the Odisha Government has decided to upgrade 67 Primary Schools to Upper Primary Schools in the State.

The School and Mass Education Department has written a letter to the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) to complete the required infrastructure and facilities as per Government norms to support teaching and learning activities in these schools.

The highest number of 12 schools would be upgraded in Dhenkanal district followed by seven each in Bargarh and Jajpur, six in Nuapada, five in Kalahandi, four Mayurbhnaj, three each in Balangir, Puri and Nayagarh, two each in Baleshwar, Jagatsinghpur, Deogarh, Koraput, Malkangiri and one each in Kataka, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Kendrapada, Rayagada, Sambalpur and Sundargada.

“Government in S&ME Department has been pleased to accord approval on the proposal for up-gradation of 67 Primary Schools across various districts to Upper Primary Schools in accordance with the prescribed norms and guidelines. You are, therefore, requested to take immediate necessary follow-up action in this regard for execution of the up-gradation process, ensuring the provisioning to requisite infrastructure, allocation of teaching staff, and completion of regulatory alignments,” the School and Mass Education Department Additional Secretary Bijaylaxmi Patsani wrote in a letter to OSEPA State Project Director.

The objective to up-grade these schools is to enhance standard of education in Odisha and ensuring better educational facilities for students, particularly those in rural and remote regions.

The move would also enable children to continue their upper primary education in schools located closer to their homes, reducing the need to travel long distances and minimising inconvenience for students and their families.