OdishaPlus Bureau
The Odisha government has launched Mission Suvidya — a scheme aimed at bringing a qualitative shift in accommodation facilities provided to the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students across the state.
The SC-ST development department, in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, signed agreements with three agencies – Quality Council of India (QCI), Akshara Foundation and TRIFED – to ensure basic facilities, such as functional toilets, drinking water supply and well-equipped kitchen, in all tribal and Dalit students’ hostels. The government runs as many as 6,500 SC-ST hostels, benefitting over 5.7 lakh students.
The QCI, according to the agreement, would assess and evaluate the quality of services provided at the ST- and SC-reserved hostels, to attain ISO certificate, the statement said. QCI DG R P Singh and Tribal Affairs Director Sachin Yadav signed the agreement.
Another MoU was signed between Akshara Foundation CEO Ashok Kamath and Sachin Yadav. Akshara Foundation, on the other hand, would cooperate and collaborate with the State government to improve learning outcomes, it explained. It has developed specific programs like the School Readiness Programme for Grade 1 Students, Classroom/ Hostel Library Programme, digital Learning Solutions, and other programs. The scope of the programme will cover all schools with primary sections under the purview of the department in a phased manner benefitting more than two lakh students in the first phase.
The third MoU was signed between Amit Bhatnagar of TRIFED and TDCCOL MD Sarat Mohanty to ensure market linkages to various products produced by tribal artisans and tribal entrepreneurs.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “I am very happy to launch Mission Suvidya that aims at bringing a qualitative shift in accommodation facilities provided to students in ST-SC hostels. The Mission has a maximum laid down the standard for assuring and sustaining quality to achieve ISO certification.
The ST-SC Development Department runs as many as 6500 hostels with over 5.7 lakh students. Mission Suvidya will provide a congenial atmosphere to all the inmates in a phased manner. It will guarantee quality services in safety and security, health, hygiene, and food provisions for the students. I believe these complementary provisions will enable the students to focus better on their studies.”
He also expressed satisfaction over the Quality Council of India joining hands with the State Government to ensure quality certification to the hostels. The partnership with Akshara Foundation for up-scaling quality in learning outcomes, and with TRIFED for providing market linkages to tribal producers are also very encouraging, he said adding that the endeavor conforms to the objectives of our Five-T initiative. “I hope it will have a multiplier effect in the overall quality of education in the State,” he said.
The CM launched the logo and unveiled the dashboard of the mission. A short video on the mission was screened. The CM also released two illustrative booklets on Bathudi and Gandia community. ST-SC Development Department Minister Jagannath Saraka, Advisor SDC and Advisor Minority Affairs, DC and senior officers were among others present at the function.