The State Government has directed the District Education Officers (DEOs) and the District Project Coordinators (DPCs) to complete distribution of school textbooks among students of Classes-I to VIII in next two to three days.
But the officials have been restricted to carry out the distribution drive in hotspots, containment zones or any other areas restricted by the district authorities, said an order issued by the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) on April 20.
Besides, teachers and Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCCs) have been asked to obtain prior permission from their respective district Collector before going out to distribute books.
As textbooks could not be distributed during the prescribed time due to closure of schools in the wake COVID-19 outbreak, the OSEPA decided to distribute the books to the parents of students from school points or by visiting door-to-door. Teachers and CRCC are carrying out the distribution drive.
“During the distribution, all protocols regarding social distancing, safety and security should be followed strictly,” the order reads.