Bhubaneswar: In view of poor performance of school students in English, Mathematics and Science, the Odisha Government has decided to increase the duration of classes for the three subjects.

Informing this to newsmen, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash said it has been decided to extend class duration of English, Mathematics and Science subjects from existing 45 minutes to one-and-a-half hours.

To improve English skills of the students, special class will be provided at one school in every district in first phase. Later, the special English class will be held at block level, the Minister added.