552 Odisha Schools Lack Separate Toilets for Girls, Govt Pledges ₹35.40 Crore for Construction

Bhubaneswar: Over 550 government schools in Odisha lack separate toilet facilities for girl students, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond informed the state Assembly on Friday.

Responding to a query from Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Aswini Kumar Patra, the minister stated that 412 primary schools, 115 upper primary schools, and 25 high schools do not have dedicated toilets for girls. Acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, he assured that the government is taking steps to address the shortfall.

Gond explained that proposals are submitted every year to the Central government under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) through the Project Approval Board (PAB) for the construction of separate toilets for girls. Once approved, the necessary steps are taken to implement the projects.

To accelerate the process, the state government has allocated ₹35.40 crore in the 2024-25 Budget for the construction of 724 girls’ toilets in schools. Additionally, schools have been instructed to utilize the Composite Grant under SSA to maintain existing toilets and ensure they remain functional for students.

Ensuring proper sanitation in schools is crucial for student retention, especially for girls. The government’s commitment to improving hygiene infrastructure in schools is expected to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment across the state.