Bhubaneswar: As many as 11,710 primary, upper primary and secondary schools in Odisha yet to have electricity or solar panels, revealed School and Mass Education (S&ME) Minister Samir Ranjan Dash in the Assembly today.

The minister made this revelation while replying to query of BJP MLA Mohan Charan Majhi in the House.

According to the minister, at least 21,065 schools in the state lack playgrounds. Similarly, as many as 41,996 schools yet to have computers, said the minister in his reply.

At least 6,781 schools in Odisha do not have adequate classrooms while 6,011 schools lack adequate number of teachers, said the minister.

Earlier, the BJP MLA sought to know the number of schools lacking basic infrastructure like electricity, playground, adequate classrooms and teachers in Odisha.

He also urged the S&ME minister to reveal details regarding the Gross Enrollment Ratio and Dropout Rate in Odisha.

The Gross Enrollment Ratio at the primary level in Odisha was 100.32 in 2021-22 academic year. The ratio was 92.90 at the upper primary level and 80.36 at the secondary level, said the minister.

There was zero Dropout Rate at the primary level in Odisha in 2021-22 academic year. The figure was 7.34 at the upper primary level and 27.26 at the secondary level, added the minister.

According to the minister, the state government has appointed altogether 19,490 Sikhyasahayaks for primary and upper primary schools in last eight years.

The state government had appointed 9,539 Sikhyasahayaks in 2014-15 academic year and 9,951 in 2016-17 academic year, said the minister.