Odisha to incorporate 50k schools with 'Mo School Abhiyan' by 2022

Bhubaneswar,Dec 30: By the end of 2022, targets have been set to incorporate ‘Mo School Abhiyan’ in 50,000 schools in Odisha, said Principal Secretary to School & Mass Education Department, Satyabrata Sahu on Thursday. Chairing the 31st Executive Council meeting of ‘Mo School’ in virtual mode, Sahu said that efforts are underway to reach out to all government and government-aided schools in the state to join them with the Mo School Abhiyan. He has ordered prompt action from the school authorities to facilitate the process. Special Alumni events will be held in 58,000 schools from Jan 26 to 31. The events will be held at both the school and district levels. Along with alumni, members of the school management committee and headteachers will remain present and make plans for the overall development of the school. Alumni with the current students will exchange ideas and guide them for the future.  Apart from it, he ordered school authorities to utilize the funds who have received financial grants to pace up the project works. The schools that have delayed the initiation of the project work even after receiving financial grants long back have been ordered to return the funds soon. Headmasters of the schools that have not utilized the funds so far will be reprimanded, said Sahu. Complying with the instructions of the  Chief Minister, decisions are taken to incorporate non-core activities in Mo School. Along with the primary activities of Mo School, now schools can engage outsourced manpower for varied exercises such as maintenance of school infrastructure, maintenance of garden and nutrition garden, sanitation and cleanliness of the campus, engagement of security agency, computer handholding, spoken English, art, music and dance. Special coaching classes can also be organized for the students. Additionally, schools can also indulge in specified activities through ‘Mo School’ with the permission of the Collector. Schools can send their desired proposals after consultation with individuals or organisations that have provided financial assistance. A 2X matching grant for the non-core activities will be provided by the state government informed Sahu. The current Executive Council meeting approved a total of ₹18.30 crore projects in 23 districts of Odisha. In the last month, more than 11,000 alumni have joined the 'Mo School Abhiyan'. The alumni have provided financial assistance of ₹4.86 crores for the development of their schools. Balasore has received the highest financial assistance of ₹2.36 crore, followed by ₹23.96 lakh in Sonepur, ₹23.68 lakh in Bargarh, ₹19.21 lakh in Jajpur and in Jagatsinghpur, alumni have donated ₹17.87 lakh. A total of 6.27 lakh alumni have been connected in the ‘Mo School Abhiyan’ so far. On the other hand, ‘Mo School Abhiyan’ has received ₹1.23 Cr. From various CSR funds that will be utilized in various developmental activities of the school. Coupled with the alumni grants, CSR funds, and 2X matching grants from the state government, the Executive Council has approved projects worth ₹18.30 Cr. Meanwhile, he ordered to reach out to 42,000 primary and upper primary schools in the state. Sahu also advised conducting awareness programs in the districts that are lagging behind.  ‘Social Audit’ has been launched by ‘Mo School’ to emphasize transparency and accountability. While social audits have been started in 150 schools of 30 districts, plans are underway to conduct social audits in the 35,000 project schools across the state. The meeting was held in the presence of State Project Director- OSEPA, Director, Higher Secondary, Director, Secondary Education, Director, Primary Education, Director, TE & SCERT, Additional Secretary, S&ME department, Financial Advisor, S&ME Department, Chief Operating Officer and Officer on Special Duty, Mo School.