Berhampur: The district administration will ensure dual desks for all the students of government-managed primary schools in Ganjam within six months under the Mo School Abhiyan.

Ganjam district collector Vijay Amruta Kulange on Wednesday inaugurated the initiative Tale Basibaku Naa (no to sitting on the floor) at Pochilima Primary School Hinjilicut and Hillpatna Project UP School in Berhampur on the Teachers' Day.

Ganjam district education officer Sanatan Panda said the drive would provide a better academic environment for the children. "As most of the students sat on the floor under unhygienic conditions, steps are being taken to provide them furniture to sit and write and a congenial atmosphere to learn at school. There are more than 4000 schools in the district and we have started providing dual desks to the students of Class I in the first phase to attract them to schools," Panda said.

The model of the dual desk shall be preferably of iron frame with fibre plate for durability and convenience of the students. The specifications of the furniture are being decided at the district-level for different grades of students. The schools will procure furniture according to the specifications at their level as per the availability, Panda said.

The schools in the district have taken up a special drive by mobilising resources through the involvement of alumni, parents, government officials and others under Mo School Abhiyan to back the initiative. The block education officer planned at least one class of one school of each block to be covered under Tale Basibaku Naa, said an official source.

Binod Pradhan, who is a parent, said providing dual desk to the students is a welcome step. "Our kids were sitting on dusty and unhygienic floor of the classroom. Dual desk will provide better sitting arrangement and comfort," he said.