Bhubaneswar: The Union Ministry of Education has approved the upgradation of 71 secondary schools in Odisha into higher secondary schools under the Samagra Shiksha programme for the 2026-27 and sanctioned Rs 140 crore.
According to an official communication issued by the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA), the Project Approval Board (PAB) for 2026-27 under the Department of School Education and Literacy has approved the State’s proposal to upgrade 71 secondary schools into higher secondary schools. The proposal was submitted by the districts following recommendations from the respective Collector-cum-Chairpersons of Samagra Shiksha.
The Centre has sanctioned Rs 140.738 crore as non-recurring financial assistance for establishing the new higher secondary schools. The funds are to be utilised during the 2026-27 financial year.
The approval has been conveyed through a letter by Ananya Das, State Project Director, OSEPA to the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department. In the letter, OSEPA has requested the department to issue the necessary government orders for opening the new higher secondary schools by upgrading the approved secondary schools under the scheme.