Odisha's free KG to PG education scheme has increased UG admissions by 14,758: Higher edu minister

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government's KG to PG free education scheme has resulted in a significant increase in enrolment across the state, with 14,758 more students taking admission in regular undergraduate courses during the current academic season as compared to the previous year, a minister said. The aspirational districts have recorded encouraging admission rates, with Kalahandi topping the list at 99.09 per cent enrolment followed by Koraput at 98.82 per cent, state Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said after a review meeting.

Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi scheme, the first of its kind free education from nursery school to post-graduation level, ensures no fees for students in government-run educational institutions. During the meeting held here on Friday, the minister focused on the progress of the scheme, filling vacant teaching and non-teaching posts in colleges and universities, recruitment examinations conducted by the State Selection Board and the implementation of projects under PM-USHA.

Under the Gyanodaya Shiksharu Samruddhi scheme introduced from the current academic year, altogether 1,78,937 students have enrolled in regular undergraduate courses, as against 1,64,179 in the previous academic year, an increase of 14,758 admissions, Suraj said. The programme aims to make education accessible to students from eligible families and strengthen access to higher education across the state of Odisha , the minister said. Among the aspirational districts, Kalahandi recorded an admission rate of 99.09 per cent, followed by Koraput (98.82 per cent), Balangir (95.57 per cent), Malkangiri (95.37 per cent) and Nuapada (94.64 per cent).

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Odisha creates new posts, fills teaching vacancies

During the meeting, the minister highlighted major steps towards strengthening the administrative and academic infrastructure of higher education institutions through the creation of new posts. As many as 48 new principal posts have been created in 48 government degree colleges. All 66 such colleges in the state now have sanctioned principal posts, compared to only 18 colleges earlier.

The minister said the free education scheme is helping realise the vision of "education for all and higher education for all" by making higher studies more accessible and inclusive. He said the vacant positions would be filled at the earliest. The minister directed officials concerned to ensure effective implementation of departmental schemes and complete ongoing projects within the stipulated timelines. In another significant development, he said 262 new posts have been created across 17 state universities following a rationalisation process to improve their administration and functioning.

Meanwhile, recruitment is underway to fill 1,819 vacant teaching positions in colleges and universities, the minister said. The State Selection Board has conducted recruitment examinations and declared results for more than 2,800 vacancies across different categories over the past two years, an official said. For the current year, the board has issued recruitment notifications for 1,557 posts in various categories, he added.