Odisha CM Orders Upgrade of High Schools to Curb Dropout Rates

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed the upgradation of high schools into higher secondary institutions and improvement of hostel conditions during a review meeting of the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare department. With Odisha recording the highest secondary school dropout rate at 27.3%, Majhi stressed on enhanced infrastructure and food quality in hostels, particularly in tribal-dominated districts.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday mandated the upgradation of at least 14 high schools into higher secondary institutions within the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare department.

The directive came during a department review meeting where Majhi highlighted the urgency of mitigating dropout rates. ‘Upgrading more high schools to higher secondary levels can significantly reduce dropout rates,’ he noted.

Majhi emphasized the need for better hostel conditions in primary schools managed by the department, especially in tribal regions. Efforts to enhance 301 hostels in the undivided Koraput district include increasing capacities to 100 as required. He advocated for improved food quality, health, safety, and cleanliness for the students and urged frequent inspections by officials.

The review also revealed that Odisha has a 27.3% dropout rate at the secondary level, the highest in the country, according to the SDG India Index 2023 by NITI Aayog.