Bhubaneswar: School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond on Friday informed the Odisha Assembly that 552 government schools in the state lack separate toilet facilities for girl students.
Replying to a question raised by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Aswini Kumar Patra, the minister said 412 primary schools, 115 upper primary schools, and 25 high schools in Odisha do not have separate toilet facilities for boys and girl students.
He, however, said that the government is working to address this issue and every year proposals are submitted to the Central government under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) through the Project Approval Board (PAB) for construction of separate toilets for girls in schools. Necessary actions are being taken once the proposals are approved.
Gond further said that a sum of Rs 3540.36 lakh has been allocated in the 2024-25 Budget for construction of 724 toilets for girls in schools.
In addition, the state government has directed the schools to utilise the Composite Grant provided under the SSA to maintain cleanliness in the existing toilets and ensure their full usability for students.
