Bhubaneswar: In a major student welfare initiative, the Odisha government has announced free supply of textbooks and free bus travel for school and college students across the state. The announcement was made by School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond on Wednesday.
Under the new scheme, students from Class I to Class X will be provided free textbooks. Earlier, this facility was restricted only to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, but it will now be extended to all categories.
In addition, students will be allowed to travel free of cost in government-run buses by simply showing their valid student ID card. The initiative is aimed at reducing the financial burden on parents while making education more accessible, particularly for children from rural and economically weaker sections.
“This step will make students as well as their families burden-free by ensuring hassle-free access to schools and colleges. It is expected to increase attendance and encourage more children to pursue education,” the minister said.
Educationists have welcomed the move, calling it a progressive measure in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP), which emphasizes universal access and equity in education.
The scheme is expected to benefit lakhs of students across Odisha, giving a boost to the state’s efforts to strengthen its education system and reduce dropout rates.
-OdishaAge
