100 model schools launched in Odisha

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar: Even though the Naveen Patnaik Government had badly failed in providing adequate number of teachers in a large number of existing government-run schools across Odisha, 100 new Adarsha Vidyalayas (model schools) were launched 100 Blocks of the State on Tuesday.Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the Adarsha Vidyalaya scheme by inaugurating a school in his own constituency in Ganjam district.He inaugurated the remaining 99 schools online.These 100 model schools will be functional from the coming academic session.Such schools will be constructed in the remaining 214 Blocks in phases.These schools will follow the CBSE curriculum and Odia will be taught as a second language.They will have classes VI, VII and VIII initially, and other classes will open subsequently.“Delighted to dedicate to future generations of #Odisha 100 Model Schools,” tweeted Patnaik soon after launching the scheme.“Model schools are a step to realize Biju Babu’s dream of an #EmpoweredOdisha with quality education #BijuCentenary,” he tweeted.The new scheme was launched under the aegis of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Sangathan which was established as a society under Society Registration Act of Odisha in September 2015.The General Body is the apex body of the Sangathan headed by Minister, School & Mass Education as Chairman.The State Government had set up the Sangathan to run the model schools under PPP mode after the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre discontinued financial support to the Rashtriya Adarsh Vidyalaya Scheme that was implemented by the previous UPA government.The key features of model school are as follows:The school should be holistic and integral touching upon physical, aesthetic development in addition to academic.The school will have adequate ICT infrastructure, internet connectivity and full time computer teacher.There will be sufficient scope for sports and co-curricular activities.Teacher pupil ratio should not exceed 1:25 and classroom will be precious with class room-student ratio of 1:40.There will be provision of Art and Music Teacher besides subject teachers.Special emphasis will be given on teaching of Science, Math and English.Medium of instruction will be English and the schools will be affiliated to CBSE.Model Schools will have appropriate pace setting activities, so that schools in the neighborhood can benefit.The classes will be from VI to XII having two (02) sections in each class with intake capacity of 40 in each section.There will be 50% reservation for Girls.The reservation of seats for students will be as per the percentage of SC & ST population in the respective Blocks.Of the 100 schools inaugurated in the first phase, TATA had agreed to construct model schools 30 blocks, while Odisha Mining Corporation had agreed to construct in 25 Blocks and Jindal Steel and Power Limited in 10 blocks.