Bhubaneswar, Jan. 16: The state government has decided to bring Plus II colleges under the purview of the school and mass education department for administrative ease. At present, colleges that run Plus II classes are controlled by the higher education department.

Students will soon complete their Class XII from school. The colleges that are running Plus II classes will have to provide separate infrastructure in a phased manner so that the school and mass education department may control their running.

“The decision will not affect teachers or students,” said a government official. The decision, taken at a meeting chaired by chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday, will come into effect from the next academic session onwards.

School and mass education minister Pratap Jena said: “A meeting will be called to decide the mechanism as to how to bifurcate Plus II classes from degree colleges.”

A senior official said: “Plus II classes will function from degree colleges and teachers’ salaries will now fall under the jurisdiction of the school and mass education department.”

Computer literacy will also be improved by using computers to impart education in 4,000 high schools, it was decided at the meeting. The chief minister asked the departments concerned to submit a report within 15 days on the issue of opening an office of education officers at the block and district levels. Though a decision to this effect was taken in 2005, it has yet to be implemented.