On the second day of the Odisha Assembly’s winter session, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond clarified the government’s stance on reopening closed schools.
Responding to a question from MLA Prasanna Acharya, the minister stated that schools with fewer than 20 students will not reopen.
He explained that the previous government had closed schools even when they had more than 20 students. In contrast, the current government has already reopened 46 such schools. The minister emphasised that reopening decisions depend on recommendations from district‑level committees, which are then reviewed by the state committee.
The government has adopted a clear policy: schools with more than 20 students will be considered for reopening. Out of five proposals recently submitted, four are under active consideration.
Officials highlighted that the approach balances resource allocation with student needs. By focusing on schools with adequate enrollment, the government aims to ensure quality education and efficient use of infrastructure.
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