Odisha Govt Offers Free Bus Travel and Textbooks to Students

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has unveiled a set of student-friendly initiatives aimed at easing access to education and reducing the financial burden on families. School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond on Thursday announced that all schoolchildren will be eligible for free bus travel in government-run buses and will receive textbooks at no cost.

Students wearing school uniforms and carrying valid identity cards can now travel without paying fares in state-run buses, Gond clarified. The measure, he said, is expected to improve attendance and encourage more children to continue schooling.

The government has also expanded its free textbook scheme. While previously limited to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, free textbooks will now be supplied to all students from Class I to Class X.

Looking ahead, Gond highlighted that Odisha’s education system will undergo reforms in line with the National Education Policy. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will be restructured on the NCERT model with an emphasis on quality teaching and learning.

Acknowledging the gaps in infrastructure across several schools, the Minister assured that improvements will be taken up as a priority. He added that discussions have already been held with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to fast-track upgrades in the coming days.

The new measures are expected to provide a significant boost to Odisha’s education sector and benefit thousands of students across the state.