Bhubaneswar, Nov 5 (UDN): In a major relief measure for children affected by Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent floods, the Odisha government has decided to provide fresh textbooks to students in Ganjam and Gajapati districts who lost their study materials in the disaster.
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School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond announced the decision on Thursday, assuring that steps were being taken to ensure that the disruption caused by the natural calamity does not affect students' education.
The two districts were among the worst affected by the cyclone-induced floods, which damaged several school buildings and destroyed books and other educational materials belonging to students.
Fresh Textbooks to Be Arranged for Affected Students
The minister said the government had initiated steps to identify students who lost their textbooks and ensure that replacement books reach them at the earliest.
He added that the state government had contacted the Secretary of the Board of Secondary Education to coordinate the supply of fresh textbooks to the affected students.
The initiative is aimed at helping children resume their studies without facing additional financial or academic difficulties following the disaster.
Reports Sought on Damaged School Buildings
Apart from providing replacement textbooks, the government is also assessing the damage caused to educational infrastructure in the cyclone-affected districts.
Gond said reports had been sought from the respective District Education Officers regarding the condition of schools damaged by the cyclone and subsequent floods.
The reports will help the government identify schools requiring urgent repairs and plan the necessary restoration measures.
Government Focuses on Restoring Education
The cyclone and floods caused widespread disruption across parts of Ganjam and Gajapati, affecting normal life as well as educational activities.
With many students losing essential learning materials and several school buildings sustaining damage, the government is focusing on restoring educational facilities and ensuring continuity in classroom learning.
The provision of fresh textbooks and the assessment of damaged school infrastructure are expected to support efforts to bring students back on track after the natural disaster.
The state government has indicated that necessary steps will be taken based on the reports received from district-level education authorities.
