Bhubaneswar, Aug. 8: A separate Plus II and Plus III system from the current academic calendar has hit a roadblock after the bifurcation of the two remained incomplete.

Higher education officials claimed the delay was a result of issues that needed attention such as dividing classrooms and laboratories. In many colleges, the same teachers taught both classes. "There are some degree colleges that are not ready to part with their classrooms and buildings," said a senior higher education official.

The state government had earlier said colleges would be separated from junior colleges from the 2016-17 academic year. This would have brought all the junior colleges under the purview of the school and mass education department.

"The state government has formed a committee with officials from the higher education, school and mass education and the law departments to finalise the modalities for bifurcation of Plus Two and Plus Three colleges. The committee has met a few times, but nothing concrete has been finalised," said a senior higher education official.

School and mass education minister Debi Prasad Mishra said: "We are in talks with the higher education department. We have formed a committee and everything will be worked out shortly."