Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday inaugurated 389 schools, which have undergone transformation under 5T Initiative of Odisha government, in 5 districts.
The schools, located in Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada and Bargarh districts, have been transformed in the 4th phase of the scheme. As many as 149 schools have been transformed in Ganjam, 11 in Jharsuguda, 57 in Jagatsinghpur, 112 in Kendrapda and 60 in Bargarh.
Total 1,794 schools across the state will be covered in this phase of the transformation programme. In the earlier 3 phases, 6,883 schools have undergone developmental changes.
Launching the fourth phase of school transformation, the chief minister said the government has taken up transformation of schools, colleges, tourist places, temples, mutts and hospitals as part of the government’s efforts to build a strong Odisha.
“Schools play an important role in deciding the future of any race. Education shows the way to the society to development and progress. Hence, the government attaches importance to school transformation,” he said.
Equipped with smart classrooms, computers and laboratory with latest equipment, the transformed schools offer an ideal environment for the students for learning, he said.
Advising the students to adopt the principles of 5T in their lives, Naveen said, “The government has made provision of 15% reservation for them in medical and engineering institutions. It would ensure a bright future for them.”
Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha, Higher Education Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Jharsuguda MLA Dipali Das, Bargarh MLA Snehangini Chhuria, government’s chief whip Prashant Kumar Muduli and 5T and Nabin Odisha chairman VK Pandian also spoke on the occasion.