Bhubaneswar/Berhampur: After reviewing the ongoing development work at Taratarini Temple on the banks of Rushikulya river, secretary to Chief Minister (transformation & initiatives; popularly known as 5T), V K Pandian visited different schools in Hinjili block and municipality on Friday.
The visit assumes significance against the backdrop of the Odisha government’s decision to develop 101 schools in the state as centres of excellence with introduction of English from elementary level.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had sanctioned Rs 25 lakh for each of the school identified in all the 30 districts for development of soft infrastructure.
During the daylong visit, Pandian will visit as many as 25 schools under different gram panchayats.
He will also meet School Management Committees (SMC) and representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions to discuss panchayat issues with special focus on high school education, drinking water, roads, health, electricity and irrigation, sources said.
Improving quality of education and increasing enrollment in state-run schools have topped the priority list of the Naveen-led government in the recent past.
To achieve ‘zero fail mission’ in matriculation examination, the government had earlier announced to hold extra classes for weaker students during summer vacation.
On January 16, schools across the state had conducted parents-teacher meeting , which stressed on learning outcomes and creating a supportive atmosphere for students.