Bhubaneswar: Students from Sishu Vatika to Class III studying in schools run by the Odisha government will be provided with school bags free of cost.
The Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) has directed officials to ensure the timely distribution of school bags to students from Sishu Vatika to Class III across the state.
Officials said the initiative aims at supporting children and ensuring that they have the necessary educational materials for the academic year.
In a letter, state Project Director of OSEPA Ananya Das informed all District Education Officers-cum-District Project Coordinators that the school bags will be supplied by the Odisha State Industrial Corporation (OSIC) at designated block points for further distribution to schools.
The initiative will cover students studying in government schools under both the School and Mass Education (S&ME) Department and the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Development (SSD) Department.
OSEPA has specified two categories of school bags based on the students’ classes. Size I bags will be provided to students from Sishu Vatika to Class I, while Size II bags will be distributed to students of Classes II and III.
Officials have been asked to ensure that the materials are received as per the approved indent and distributed to the respective schools without delay so that eligible students receive the bags on time.
Officials have also been asked to immediately report any discrepancies noticed during the receipt of the materials for necessary action.
