Bhubaneswar: The Union Ministry of Education has approved the upgradation of 71 secondary schools in Odisha into higher secondary schools under the Samagra Shiksha programme for the 2026-27 financial year and sanctioned Rs 140 crore in this regard, according to an official communication issued by the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA).

The approval has been conveyed through a letter by Ananya Das, State Project Director, OSEPA, to the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the School and Mass Education Department.

According to the letter, the Project Approval Board (PAB) for 2026-27, under the Ministry of Education's Department of School Education and Literacy, has approved the state's proposal to upgrade 71 secondary schools into higher secondary schools. The proposal was submitted by the districts following recommendations from the respective Collector-cum-Chairpersons of Samagra Shiksha.

The Centre has sanctioned Rs 140.738 crore as non-recurring financial assistance for establishing the new higher secondary schools. The funds are to be utilised during the 2026-27 financial year.

In the letter, OSEPA has requested the School and Mass Education Department to issue the necessary government orders for opening the new higher secondary schools by upgrading the approved secondary schools under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.