Bhubaneswar, July 3 (UDN): The Odisha School and Mass Education Department has introduced a new framework making it mandatory for all private primary and upper primary schools in the state to obtain a Certificate of Recognition (CoR) and prior opening permission before starting operations.
The revised guidelines aim to ensure that only institutions meeting prescribed quality, infrastructure, and staffing standards are allowed to function as elementary schools in Odisha.
As per the notification, applicants must be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or the Indian Trusts Act. Schools are required to have adequate land in safe and hygienic surroundings, along with essential facilities such as classrooms, toilets, drinking water, playgrounds, ramps, and other basic infrastructure.
The rules also mandate the appointment of qualified and trained teaching and non-teaching staff in line with prescribed norms. Institutions must comply with provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, including Sections 19 and 25.
The government has clarified that submission of an Essentiality Certificate will no longer be required for obtaining opening permission for new elementary schools.
Under the revised process, applications will first be examined by the District Education Officer and forwarded to the Director of Primary Education for approval. Final opening permission will be issued by the DEO before the commencement of the academic session.
Officials said the new framework is intended to improve accountability, streamline approvals, and ensure quality education standards across private elementary institutions in the state.
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