The Odisha Government has firmly refuted recent media reports suggesting new school closures or mergers across the state.
In a statement issued by the School and Mass Education Department, officials clarified that no new directives have been issued regarding school restructuring.
The department acknowledged that 5,632 schools were merged with nearby institutions during the 2020–21 academic year, following a notification dated March 11, 2020. However, it emphasised that this was a past initiative and no further closures or mergers are currently planned.
ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ନୂତନ ସ୍କୁଲ ବନ୍ଦ/ମିଶ୍ରଣ ଖବରକୁ ନେଇ ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ ଓ ଗଣଶିକ୍ଷା ବିଭାଗର ବିବୃତ୍ତି
ରାଜ୍ୟରେ ନୂତନ ଭାବେ ସ୍କୁଲ ବନ୍ଦ କିମ୍ବା ମିଶ୍ରଣ ହେବାକୁ ନେଇ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ଗଣମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ପ୍ରକାଶିତ ହେଉଥିବା ଖବର ସମ୍ପୁର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଭିତ୍ତିହୀନ ଅଟେ ।@CMO_Odisha @IPR_Odisha
— EducationOdisha (@SMEOdisha) October 22, 2025
The clarification aims to dispel public confusion and reassure students, parents, and educators that the state’s school network remains stable.