Bhubaneswar,20th Aug 2025: All children enrolled in pre-primary (Shishu Batika) classes in government schools across the state will soon be provided with school uniforms. Just like Class I students, Shishu Batika children will also receive school dress, shoes, socks, T-shirt, track pants, cap, and an identity card.
The expenditure has been estimated at ₹1,000 per child. During the current academic year, uniforms will be distributed to a total of 3,10,839 Shishu Batika children in Odisha. For this, an estimated ₹31.83 crore will be required.
Letter to the School & Mass Education Department for Fund Approval
To arrange the required funds, the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) has written to the School and Mass Education Department, requesting approval.
According to OSEPA, in the academic year 2025–26, a total of 41,31,024 students from Class I to VIII have been enrolled in schools across the state. Under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, the government has already approved ₹600 per head for providing uniforms to Class I–VIII students, amounting to ₹247.86 crore.
However, there is no separate financial provision for Shishu Batika children. Therefore, OSEPA has sought a separate fund allocation for distributing uniforms and other necessary items to the 3,10,839 enrolled pre-primary children, at a cost of ₹1,000 per child.
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