Odisha Govt Unveils Framework for ‘Panchasakha Shikhya Setu’ Initiative

Bhubaneswar: The School and Mass Education (S&ME) Department of the Odisha government on Friday announced the launch of the ‘Panchasakha Shikhya Setu’ initiative, a transformative effort aimed at enhancing school education through community participation and innovative collaboration.

Building on the foundation of the former ‘Mo School Abhiyan,’ the Panchasakha Shikhya Setu initiative aspires to revolutionize school education by fostering volunteerism and robust partnerships between citizens and the government. This ambitious program seeks to rebuild schools, elevate education quality, and prepare students for future challenges.

Under the revamped framework, alumni, institutions, philanthropists, and other stakeholders are invited to contribute through financial support, resource donations, or service offerings to drive school development. The initiative will now operate under the rebranded Panchasakha Shikhya Setu Sangathan (PSS Sangathan), chaired ex officio by the Chief Secretary of Odisha.

Daily operations will be overseen by an executive body, with guidance from a governing body and an advisory board featuring eminent educationists, social scientists, thought leaders, and artists. At the state level, the initiative will be monitored by a committee led by the S&ME Department Secretary, while district-level committees, headed by Collectors, will ensure grassroots implementation.

To incentivize contributions, the state government will provide matching funds of up to ₹50 lakh for monetary donations, though in-kind contributions, such as materials or services, will not qualify for matching support.

The funds raised will be utilized to upgrade school infrastructure, including classrooms, libraries, hostels, toilets, drinking water facilities, internet connectivity, and sports amenities. The PSS Sangathan may also appoint domain experts, subject to state government approval, to further enhance program outcomes.

Transparency and accountability will remain central to the initiative, with the PSS Sangathan maintaining detailed accounts, preparing annual financial statements, and submitting progress reports and audited statements to the S&ME Department.