Bhubaneswar, June 19: Schools across Odisha are set to reopen on June 20 following the summer vacation. However, for three districts severely affected by a diarrhoea outbreak, the final decision on reopening will rest with the respective District Collectors. School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond announced this today, emphasizing that student safety remains the top priority.

Gond said the state government is closely monitoring the situation and has empowered District Collectors to assess the local health conditions and decide whether schools should resume or remain closed. “If the situation worsens, schools in affected districts will not reopen until it is safe,” he said.

The government has also implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of diarrhoea in schools. Institutions lacking water purification systems must provide students with boiled drinking water. Mid-day meal cooks have been instructed to serve only hot meals prepared with safe water.

Special attention will be paid to cleaning and sanitising school premises, including water tanks. Fast food stalls near school campuses will be temporarily closed, and parents will be briefed on safety protocols through meetings to ensure full awareness and cooperation.

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