Key Facts
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed dissatisfaction over the slow implementation of the Godabarish Mishra Model Primary Schools (GMMPS) programme. During a review meeting on Wednesday, he directed all district collectors to identify land for establishing at least 2,200 such schools by March 2027.
The GMMPS programme is a flagship initiative of the state's BJP government, with a substantial budget of ₹2,200 crore allocated for the 2026-27 fiscal. In comparison, the previous year's allocation was only ₹50 crore.
Details of the Directive
Chief Minister Majhi emphasized the importance of the programme in strengthening primary education across Odisha. He instructed collectors to acquire private land near existing schools if government land is insufficient, and to seek assistance from local MLAs in the land acquisition process.
To ensure timely execution, collectors must monitor the scheme weekly and submit progress reports to the Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department every seven days. Majhi announced that he would personally review the project's progress on a monthly basis.
Impact and Objectives
The GMMPS programme aims to establish world-class primary schools at the gram panchayat level, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. According to an official statement from the Chief Minister's Office, construction has already begun for 322 GMMPS.
The success of the programme hinges on effective coordination at the district level, with collectors playing a pivotal role. The CM stressed that timely land identification and construction are critical to achieving the goal.
What Readers Should Know
- Land identification for 2,200 model primary schools must be completed by March 2027.
- ₹2,200 crore has been allocated for the programme in the current fiscal.
- Construction of 322 schools is already underway.
- District collectors are to submit weekly progress reports.
- The CM will conduct monthly reviews of the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Godabarish Mishra Model Primary Schools (GMMPS) programme?
GMMPS is a flagship programme of Odisha's BJP government aimed at setting up world-class primary schools at the gram panchayat level, aligned with NEP 2020 and RTE Act 2009.
How many GMMPS are planned and what is the budget?
The Odisha government plans to build 2,200 GMMPS with an allocation of ₹2,200 crore in the 2026-27 fiscal.
What is the deadline for land identification?
District collectors have been asked to identify land for at least 2,200 such schools by March 2027.
How will the progress be monitored?
District collectors must submit weekly progress reports to the School and Mass Education Department, and the CM will personally review the project every month.