Odisha Approves KG-to-PG Free Education Scheme; Teacher Shortage Remains a Major Challenge

Odisha Approves KG-to-PG Free Education Scheme; Teacher Shortage Remains a Major Challenge

CNB WORLD TIMES

The Odisha Cabinet has approved the 'Gyanodaya – Shiksharu Samruddhi: KG to PG Free Education' scheme, paving the way for free education in government and government-aided institutions from the 2026–27 academic session. The decision is aimed at reducing the financial burden on families while improving enrolment, retention and access to higher education across the state.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described the initiative as a historic and first-of-its-kind programme. Under the scheme, eligible students enrolled in regular courses at government and government-aided institutions will receive a complete waiver of admission and tuition fees.

Since education from Kindergarten (KG) to Class VIII is already free in Odisha, the new scheme extends this benefit to students of Classes IX to XII, along with those pursuing Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) courses in State Public Universities, government colleges and government-aided colleges. However, self-financing courses, unaided institutions, PPP-mode institutions, and professional, technical and medical courses have been kept outside the scheme.

The Cabinet has approved an estimated expenditure of ₹895.57 crore for the first year and ₹5,467.55 crore over five years. The government estimates that nearly 32 lakh students under the School and Mass Education Department and the Higher Education Department will benefit annually. The state has also directed education authorities to implement the scheme through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) portal.

Challenges Before the Education System

While the free education initiative has been widely welcomed as a significant relief for economically weaker families in one of India's poorer states, education experts and political observers believe that financial support alone may not address the deeper structural challenges facing Odisha's education system.

The announcement comes at a time when the state government has faced criticism over reported errors in Odia-medium academic textbooks and the alleged NIIT examination paper leak, both of which triggered demands from opposition parties for greater accountability in the education sector.

Beyond these controversies, the state continues to face longstanding issues of inadequate teaching staff. Despite substantial investments in school infrastructure over the years, many government schools continue to function with severe teacher shortages. Several schools, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, reportedly operate with only a single teacher, affecting the quality of classroom instruction and learning outcomes.

The closure and merger of several schools in previous years also remain a concern among local communities. Many residents had expected abandoned primary schools to be reopened to improve access to education in remote areas. However, no major initiative in this regard has been implemented so far.

Education analysts note that while free admission, textbooks, uniforms and mid-day meals can improve access to education, the long-term success of the KG-to-PG scheme will largely depend on filling vacant teaching posts, strengthening academic quality, and ensuring adequate human resources across schools and colleges. Without addressing these systemic challenges, they argue, achieving the government's vision of quality education for all may remain difficult despite the substantial financial investment.