Odisha’s School and Mass Education Department has upgraded 102 high schools to higher secondary schools, set to begin operations from the 2025–26 academic session.
Announced by Nityananda Gond, Minister of School and Mass Education, ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare, and Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disability, Government of Odisha, the initiative has received approval from the Ministry of Education’s Project Approval Board (PAB) under Samagra Shiksha. Of the newly upgraded schools, 28 will offer Science, 6 will offer Commerce, and the rest will provide Arts stream.
Gond emphasized that this move will benefit students in remote areas who previously had to travel far to pursue Plus II education. “Now, students can continue their studies locally without compromising on quality,” he stated. Most of these institutions are located in rural pockets, aiming to strengthen the state’s inclusive and equitable education framework.
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Last year, 74 schools were similarly upgraded, reflecting the government’s continued commitment to expand access to senior secondary education across Odisha.
