Bhubaneswar, Feb 14: School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond informed the Odisha Assembly on Friday that 552 government schools in the state currently lack separate toilet facilities for girl students. The issue was highlighted in response to a query by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Aswini Kumar Patra.

Providing further details, Gond stated that 412 primary schools, 115 upper primary schools, and 25 high schools do not have separate toilet facilities for boys and girls. Acknowledging the seriousness of the matter, he assured that the state government is taking steps to resolve the issue. Every year, proposals are submitted to the Central government under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) through the Project Approval Board (PAB) for the construction of separate toilets. Once approved, the necessary work is carried out.

To address the problem, the government has allocated ₹35.40 crore in the 2024-25 Budget for the construction of 724 toilets for girls in schools. Additionally, schools have been instructed to use the Composite Grant under SSA to maintain and ensure the usability of existing toilet facilities.

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