Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to provide free uniform and essentials to students of Shishu Vatika in schools across the state.
According to official sources, 3,10,839 enrolled children will receive uniforms, shoes, socks, T-shirts, track pants, caps, and identity cards, which entails a budget of over Rs 3.10 crore. Accordingly, the OSEPA has written to School and Mass Education Department, seeking Rs 1,000 per child.
‘Sishu Vatika’ initiative was launched earlier this month to extend pre-school education to children in 5-6 years age group in all schools in the state under the New Education Policy 2020.
Additionally, 41,31,024 students enrolled in Classes I to VIII in government schools for 2025-26 will benefit from Samagra Shiksha programme, which allocates Rs 600 per student for uniform. This initiative aims to support economically disadvantaged students by providing essential school supplies.
Notably, Rs 108.21 crore was ealier allocated for providing free uniforms to Class IX and X students in government and government-aided schools in 2024-25 academic session. It included a budget of Rs 1,000 per student under the Mukhyamantri Chhatra Chhatri Paridhan Yojana.
