Tardy construction delays proposed model school commencement

Slow pace of construction of the proposed model schools in Ganjam district of Odisha has left a question mark on whether it will be able to start functioning from the ensuing academic session.
The state government has decided to set up at least one model school on a par with Kendriya Vidyalaya in each of the 22 blocks in the district.
In the first phase, the government had sanctioned 17 schools, while five were sanctioned in the second phase, official sources said.
Construction of two of the 17 schools sanctioned in 2013-14 at Panibandh and Sundarapalli in Ganjam and Chhatrapur blocks respectively, is yet to begin. While five school buildings have been completed, 10 others are in various stages of construction.

Expressing displeasure over the delay in comletion of construction of the school buildings, District Collector P C Chaudhary advised the department concerned to cancel the agreement with the contractors who are yet to start the construction work and have asked them to float fresh tenders.
He recently reviewed the progress in the construction of models schools in the district.

District Education Officer (DEO) Sanatan Panda, however, said at least 11 buildings would be ready from the next academic year. "We have selected the plots for the school buildings sanctioned in the second phase and we expect them to start soon," he said.

The school buildings, which will be ready for classes are Kushagumma in Dharakote block, Bhatakamarada (Purushottampur), Sorada, Hatiotta (Polsara), Nimigaon (Hinjili), Karapalli (Rangeilunda), Bhusuda (Sheragaada), Pitatali (Chikiti), Kusumi (Kukudakhandi), Sidheswara (Digapahandi) and Chhanameri (Sanakhemundi).
The school buildings in the second phase would be built on public private prtnership (PPP) mode. The school buildings in Jagannath Prasad, Belaguntha, Bhanjanagar, Buguda and Aska would be constructed by Tata Steel, the DEO said.