Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has started distributing corrected and error-free textbooks among school students from Classes I to VIII after a detailed review.

Following the Chief Minister’s direction, the School and Mass Education Department has completed corrections in 55 textbooks. More than 27 language experts have examined the revised books multiple times, checking sentences and individual words on every page.

School and Mass Education Department Secretary N Thirumala Naik has personally supervised the review process to ensure that the revised textbooks contain no major errors.

Officials estimate that around Rs 350 crore will be required to provide textbooks covering all subjects to nearly 40 lakh students. Under the free textbook scheme, the Centre contributes 60% of the funds while the state government provides the remaining 40%.

Worth mentioning, a controversy had erupted earlier this year after over 1,600 errors were detected in the newly published school textbooks. The issue sparked widespread criticism from Opposition parties, educationists and other stakeholders, raising serious concerns over the quality of educational material supplied to students across the state.