Odisha Govt To Provide Free Uniforms To Students Of Classes IX & X, Says Minister

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government would provide free school uniforms to the students of Classes IX and X from the coming academic year, said School and Mass Education Minister Samir Dash.

Speaking to media persons in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, the minister said till now the students upto Class VIII were provided free uniforms till now. The department took the decision in this regard following 10% increase in provision for education in the state Budget 2023-24 presented by the Finance Minister in the Assembly on Friday, he added.

In the Budget, the government has made an allocation of Rs 30,030 crore for education and skill development. This includes Rs 805 crore for Mo School Abhiyan.

The minister said with higher allocation, the department can now provide free uniforms to all students of the government schools. Besides, it has been decided to issue notebooks to the students like private schools. It would enable the parents to know the homework given by the teachers and the performance of their wards in the schools, he added.

Dash further said all preparations have been made for conducting the Plus II examinations which will commence from March 1. The question papers have already been dispatched to the examination centres, he added.