Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposal for providing free textbooks to students studying in Government and Government-aided Secondary Schools (other than SC & ST) under the scheme “Supply of Free Textbooks.
“The objective of the scheme is to ensure equitable access to quality education, reduce financial burden on economically weaker families, improve enrolment in government schools, reduce dropout rate and facilitate higher transition from elementary to secondary education.
Under the scheme, free textbooks will be provided to students of Class IX and Class X studying in Government and Government Aided Schools other than SC and ST schools. The scheme will be implemented for a period of five years from 2025-26 to 2029-30 with a total estimated outlay of Rs 284.07 crore, covering around 28.7 lakh beneficiaries.
Procurement of paper, printing, transportation and distribution of textbooks will be undertaken through a transparent, competitive and economical procurement process in conformity with OGFR and applicable procurement guidelines.
The School and Mass Education Department will establish a robust mechanism for collection, verification and validation of beneficiary data through field-level verification and will ensure that textbooks are printed and supplied to all schools well before commencement of each academic session.
