Bhubaneswar: Implementation of High School Transformation Programme under 5-T doctrines set by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was fast-tracked with Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra taking a review of its progress in a high-level meeting held on digital mode from Lokseba Bhawan wherein Principal Secretary School and Mass Education Bishnupada Sethi outlined the reformative interventions and their implementation for discussion.
Taking a project wise review of the progress, Chief Secretary Suresh Mahapatra set timelines for the completion of different tasks for each project. Collectors were asked to review the progress regularly and ensure completion within the scheduled time. Mahapatra also directed to make a robust arrangement for maintenance and upkeep of the electrical system, computers, laboratory equipment, campus set-up, and sports materials. Safeguarding the assets created under the programme, especially during the night hours was also discussed in the meeting. Chief Secretary also directed to train the staff and teachers of the schools regarding emergency use and upkeep of the fire safety equipment fixed in the schools.
Development Commission Pradeep Kumar Jena urged the teachers and school managing committees to make the best use of the assets to enrich of teaching-learning ambience in the schools. He also asked the department to explore the possibilities of integrating English medium teaching systems in schools for making the students on par with English medium students in private schools.
Discussions in the meeting showed that so far 4536 high schools were included under the high school transformation programme. A number of projects were planned and implemented for enhancing modern academic eco-system in the schools. The major projects included upgrading schools building, classrooms, boundary walls, water supply system, toilets, power supply system, procurement of IT equipment, regular maintenance of electronic assets, procurement of furniture, fitting of the wall hangings, wall clocks, and wall paintings, development/upkeep of the lawn/gardens, plantation, arrangement of regular cleaning of the school and campus, procurement of books, e-learning materials for e-library, procurement and maintenance of laboratory equipment, development of nutri-garden, procurement of sports equipment and development of playground, physical fitness training for students, fitting and upkeep of the fire safety equipment etc.
A review showed that these projects were already completed and put to use in 1076 schools taken up for transformation during the 1st phase, and around 75 per cent of different works in the balance 3,460 schools (taken up in the 2nd phase) were nearing completion. Chief Secretary directed for adhering to the timeline for completion of the balance works.
Development Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena, Principal Secretary School and Mass Education Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Smt Ranjana Chopra, Commissioner BMC Sri Sanjay Kumar Singh, Director Odisha School Education Programme Authority Anupam Saha, Director Special Projects Arindam Dakua, State Project Director Odisha Adrasha Vidyalaya Prem Choudhury, Director SC and ST Development Smt Guha Poonam T. K. along with senior officers of concerned departments participated in the discussions.
