Bhubaneswar, June 14: The state government is partnering with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to train matrons of residential high schools.

Some 250 matrons will be trained in the first phase in June 2016 while 1,200 more matrons will be trained subsequently.

Recently, the ST and SC development department approved the engagement of 3,000 matrons in schools to ensure ready availability of women attendants for students at tribal residential hostels. The UNFPA will extend technical assistance for capacity-building of the matrons on life skills education as well as safety and security of students.

Commissioner-cum-director of the SC & ST Research & Training Institute A.B. Ota said the department would adopt a "zero-tolerance policy" towards any cases of abuse and harassment on students in schools. He said the objective of the programme was not only to impart knowledge for better adolescent health, hygiene, nutrition, well-being and responsible behaviour, but also to instil skills among student for better communication, negotiation and social interaction.

Earlier, the department, in partnership of UNFPA, trained around 3,500 teachers on life skills education. Apart from teachers, headmistress/masters, hostel superintendents, welfare extension officers, auxiliary nursing midwifery and district level officers were also oriented on safety and security guidelines in 2015.

School kits

The state government will be giving out around 20 lakh school kits free of cost to students of primary schools this year. Each kit will include a school bag, pictorial storybooks, exercise notebooks and pencils. The initiative is aimed to check dropouts from primary and upper primary schools and also attract new students.

Director of Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority Mahendra Mallick said the school and mass education department was also set to start two new initiatives titled "Ujjwal" and "Baljyoti."

While the Ujjwal scheme is aimed to provide quality education at elementary schools, Baljyoti is for vision screening assessment and surgery of students with special needs.

The department, in association with the women and child welfare department, will also construct eight new residential hostels for children and childcare institutions to help rehabilitate 400 urban deprived children. Four new Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas will be opened in Lanjigarh, Kalahanndi, Ryagada and Malkangiri - each with a student capacity of 150.

This year, Rs 2,21,584 lakh have been allotted for the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan 2016-17, of which the Centre will bear 60 per cent and the state 40 per cent.