Bhubaneswar, 13 March (H.S.): As many as 1,763 classrooms in primary schools across Odisha are currently in a dilapidated condition, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond informed the State Assembly.

The minister shared the information while responding to a query raised by MLA Souvic Biswal, who had sought details regarding the number of unsafe or damaged classrooms in primary school buildings across various districts and blocks in the state.

According to the minister, several districts have reported a significant number of dilapidated classrooms. Sambalpur district recorded the highest number with 175 such classrooms, followed by Mayurbhanj district with 122 and Sonepur district with 107. Other districts with a high number of unsafe classrooms include Cuttack district (104), Kalahandi district (101), Ganjam district (100), Balasore district (95), Keonjhar district (94) and Kendrapara district (90).

The minister also presented a detailed district-wise assessment in the Assembly, highlighting the need for urgent attention to repair and rebuild damaged school infrastructure in many parts of the state.

He further stated that the responsibility for reconstruction, repair and maintenance of these primary school buildings has been assigned to the Housing and Urban Development Department in urban areas and the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department in rural areas.

The government, he added, is taking steps to address the issue to ensure safe learning environments for students studying in primary schools across Odisha.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda