Over 28 lakh Odisha school students to get free textbooks amid error row

The Odisha government has approved free textbooks for around 28.7 lakh students under a five-year scheme aimed at improving access to education and reducing the financial burden on families.The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday. The scheme will run from the 2025-26 to 2029-30 academic years, with a total estimated outlay of Rs 284.07 crore.Chief Secretary Anu Garg said the initiative would cover students in Classes 9 and 10 studying in government and government-aided secondary schools. Students from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) were already covered under existing provisions.WHO WILL GET FREE TEXTBOOKS?The expanded scheme will benefit students enrolled in Classes 9 and 10 in government and government-aided secondary schools. The government aims to provide equitable access to quality education, ease the financial burden on economically weaker families and encourage more students to continue their education.The scheme is also intended to improve enrolment in government schools, reduce dropout rates and help students transition from elementary to secondary education. “The scheme will remain in force for five years, from 2025-26 to 2029-30, with a total estimated outlay of Rs 284.07 crore, covering a tentative 28.7 lakh beneficiaries,” Garg said.TEXTBOOK ERRORS SPARK CONTROVERSYThe announcement comes amid a controversy over errors found in textbooks supplied by Odisha's School and Mass Education Department.More than 1,600 mistakes, including spelling errors and incorrect names of eminent personalities, were reportedly identified across 55 textbooks. Opposition parties have demanded the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond over the issue.HOW WILL THE BOOKS REACH STUDENTS?The state government said procurement, printing, transportation and distribution would be carried out through a transparent and competitive process under the Odisha General Financial Rules and other applicable procurement guidelines.The department will also establish a system to collect, verify and validate beneficiary data through field-level checks.It will ensure that textbooks reach schools well before each academic session begins, helping students access their learning materials on time.- Ends