Bhubaneswar: In a major push towards strengthening early childhood education and reducing dropout rates, the Odisha government has announced that over 3.10 lakh children enrolled in Shishu Vatika centres across the state will receive free uniforms and other essential items.
The initiative was announced by School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond on Tuesday. He stated that Shishu Vatika, a pre-primary initiative aimed at preparing children for formal schooling, has been established in around 45,000 primary schools in the state.
“To encourage young children to attend school regularly, the government will provide each child with uniforms, shoes, socks, and track pants,” Gond said. A financial provision of Rs 1,000 per child has been made for the distribution of these materials.
The minister added that the initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve foundational learning and build school-going habits among children from an early age.
“If children happily go to school and develop a routine, they are less likely to drop out later. This scheme is a step in that direction,” he said while addressing the media.
The School and Mass Education Department hopes that by addressing basic needs and making school environments more child-friendly, the programme will lead to higher enrolment and retention at the primary level.
