552 Govt Schools In Odisha Lack Separate Toilets For Girls: Minister Informs Assembly

Bhubaneswar: As many as 552 government schools in Odisha lack separate toilet facilities for girl students, the state Assembly was informed on Friday.

School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond share this information while answering a by MLA Aswini Kumar Patra. The minister said 412 primary schools, 115 upper primary schools, and 25 high schools in the state lack separate toilet facilities for girl students.

On the government’s efforts to address this issue, Gond said that every year, proposals are submitted to the central government under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) through the Project Approval Board (PAB) for constructing separate toilets for girls. Once approved, necessary steps are taken for implementation.

A budget of Rs 3540.36 lakh has been allocated in 2024-25 for the construction of 724 toilets for girls. Steps are being taken for the construction of these toilets, the minister said.

This apart, the state government has directed schools to utilise the Composite Grant provided under the SSA to maintain cleanliness in existing toilets and ensure their full usability for students, the Minister said.