Bhubaneswar: The Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) has instructed all district collectors to conduct School Safety Week 2026–27 throughout the state in August and carry out thorough safety audits in every government school.
The move aims to bolster student safety and improve disaster readiness.
State Project Director Ananya Das, IAS, issued the directive in line with recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and guidelines of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Special emphasis has been placed on protecting children during the current monsoon period
As per the official order, structural and non-structural safety audits must be completed in schools where these inspections are still pending. Institutions that have already finished the audits are exempt from repeating them.
District Education Officers (DEOs) have been designated as the district nodal officers to supervise implementation of the Odisha School Safety Policy, 2016 and monitor compliance.
During School Safety Week, schools will organise a range of programmes focused on disaster preparedness, child protection, first-aid training, fire safety, sanitation, emergency response and overall safe school practices.
OSEPA has shared detailed activity calendars, guidelines and monitoring formats to maintain consistency across all districts. For the 2026–27 academic year, the state has allocated Rs 2,000 per government school under the Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI schemes to support these efforts.
Schools may also use up to 10 per cent of their School Grant, where allowed, for campus cleanliness and sanitation work.PM SHRI funds will be restricted to PM SHRI schools, while Samagra Shiksha funds will be used for other eligible government schools.
Describing the initiative as time-sensitive, OSEPA has urged district administrations and education authorities to finish all required safety measures promptly so that schools remain secure and prepared for emergencies throughout the academic year.
As part of the School Safety Week directed by the OSEPA, government schools across the state will observe a structured six-day programme in August 2026. The activities are designed to improve campus safety, disaster preparedness and overall student well-being.
On the first day, schools will undertake deep cleaning of the entire campus, classrooms, overhead water tanks and MDM halls. Unused furniture, e-waste, old water purifiers and other debris will be cleared. Functionality of toilets and drinking water facilities will be checked, stakeholders will be informed about the observance, and a detailed activity calendar will be prepared at the school level.
The second day will focus on planning and assessment. Meetings will be held with the School Safety Committee and School Management Committee (SMC) members. A hazard hunt and safety audit (both structural and non-structural) will be conducted, major and minor hazards will be mapped after verification, and available resources and preparedness levels will be assessed. The prescribed school safety format will also be filled.
On the third day, schools will address the hazards identified earlier. Dangerous areas will be clearly marked, cracked floors, walls and roofs will be repaired, holes will be filled, and open ponds, wells and drains will be properly hedged. Inflammable and toxic materials, including laboratory chemicals, will be stored safely. Safe drinking water facilities will be ensured and emergency helpline numbers will be prominently displayed.
The fourth day will concentrate on emergency readiness and health measures. Fire extinguishers will be checked for functionality, fire safety certificates will be obtained where required, and first-aid boxes will be refilled. School toilets will be repaired, mock drills will be conducted as per priority, and health check-ups of students will be organised with proper record-keeping.
The School Safety and Disaster Evacuation Plan will also be displayed at prominent locations within the campus.
