Picture by Ashwinee Pati
Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday announced Mukhyamantri Medhabruti (chief minister's meritorious scholarship) scheme to encourage students to perform well in matric exam.
Under the scheme, 40,000 students will be given Rs 5,000 each for scoring good marks in Class X exam. He also announced another three schemes to enhance the quality of education at the high school level.
Naveen made the announcements while interacting with students at a Children's Day event at Capital High School here.
Among the schemes announced included one meant to promote Odia language.
Under the Odia Bhasa Medhabruti scheme, the government will give Rs 5,000 individually to 10 students in each of the state's 314 blocks for scoring good marks in Odia in their Class X examination.
The third scheme seeks to involve past students in the development of their alma mater. The government will allocate Rs 100 crore under the scheme entitled "Mo School Campaign" to connect former students with their schools.
Naveen said under the scheme if an alumni contributed funds to develop a school, the state government would pitch in with double the amount.
The chief minister also offered cash rewards to encourage teachers to give their best. In every block, three schools that perform well in the Class X exam will be entitled to receive a cash award of Rs 1 lakh each. The prize money will be distributed among the teachers.
"With our focus on quality education, we can take our state to the next level. This can happen when all of us join together in a movement," Naveen said.
He also wanted increased involvement of parents in the education system. Naveen said the government would felicitate parents of students who would perform well in Class X.