Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced a Rs 7 crore grant for the upgradation of BNK High School in Purusottampur under Champua block of Keonjhar district, as the institution marked its golden jubilee celebrations with grandeur.
The Chief Minister made the announcement while attending the 50th anniversary celebrations of the school as the chief guest. He said the grant would be utilised to upgrade the institution under the ‘PM SHRI’ scheme, which aims to strengthen infrastructure and improve the quality of education in government schools. He also announced that Kutariposi Panchayat would be developed as a model Panchayat.
Majhi said the golden jubilee of an educational institution represents a journey of five decades of struggle, achievement and social transformation. He stressed that education remains the most powerful tool for societal change and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring holistic development of students across the state.
“There is no shortcut to success. Hard work and continuous learning lead to achievement,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the focus of the government is not just on infrastructure development but also on strengthening foundational learning among children.
Highlighting achievements in the education sector, the Chief Minister informed that over 25,000 teachers have been recruited in the last two years, while 13,000 contractual teachers have been regularised. He added that the recruitment process for another 45,000 teachers is underway.
Criticising cosmetic improvements in 5T model schools, Majhi said the government will establish 2,200 Godabarish Mishra Adarsh Primary Schools in the first phase to ensure real infrastructure development, with Rs 50 crore allocated in the budget.
He further said that 800 schools will be developed as Centres of Excellence under the ‘PM SHRI’ scheme. The government is also promoting foundational literacy and mother tongue-based education through the ‘NIPUN Odisha’ Mission. The Chief Minister also hailed India’s achievement of “second-stage criticality” in nuclear energy as a matter of national pride.
Paying tribute to social worker late Saharai Oram, the Chief Minister assured full government support for the development of BNK High School. He also unveiled the school souvenir and felicitated meritorious students. Directions were issued to the district administration to provide additional funds for strengthening educational infrastructure in the region.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Champua MLA Sanatan Mahakud, Telkoi MLA Dr. Fakir Mohan Naik, Patna MLA Akhila Chandra Naik, and District Collector Vishal Singh were among those present on the occasion.
