Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed the concerned officials to expedite construction of seven urban hostel complexes for students of SC and ST communities aspiring to study in established public schools of cities.
The Chief Minister reviewed with officials the progress of construction of these hostels along with other hostels being constructed for SC and ST students, both boys and girls.
The review revealed that the seven urban hostels, each having 300 seats, are being constructed in Bhubaneswar, Brahmapur and Rourkela. The tentative list of public schools includes Bhubaneswar-based KIIT International School and SAI International School, the DPSs of Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, the DAV Public Schools of Bhubaneswar, Brahmapur and Rourkela, the Central Schools in the three cities, the St Carmel School, Rourkela and De Paul, Brahmapur.
The progressed of the construction work in Bhubaneswar at Pokhariput and Kalinga Vihar show that about Rs 7.95 crore has been spent so far out of a total estimate of about Rs 21 crore. The construction of the boundary wall at lumbini Vihar has started. However, site clearances at Rourkela and Brahmapur are yet to be obtained.
The meeting also discussed about the progress of other hostels. During 2009-10 and 2012-13, as many as 1,518 hostels have been completed and 875 are under construction. In the current year, sanction has been made for construction of 1,000 hostels. Steps have been initiated for construction of 713. However, construction of 110 hostels has started.
The scheme for accommodating students from ST and SC communities studying in urban areas envisages that they will act as ambassadors for their villages and promote quality education. For selection of students from these communities, a common admission test at the district level will be organised.
Parents of the students selected for taking admission in urban schools should not be tax payers. However, seats in the hostels will be reserved at the ratio of 80 per cent and 20 per cent for ST and SC students, respectively.
The objective of providing accommodation to ST and SC students from rural areas is to enable them to get education in Standards I to X11 in the best of Public Schools.
To facilitate access for the aspiring meritorious students in these schools, coaching and tuition will be provided. They will also be provided training on language skills, computer education and life skills so that they are enabled to compete with the best of talents.