Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has decided to waive school fees of students studying in government high schools in 14 districts which were affected by cyclonic storm FANI, said Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi today.

This apart, two pairs of school uniforms will be provided free of cost to the students of five severely affected districts-- Puri, Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara.

The State Government has also appealed private educational institutions of the five districts to consider waiving off school fees of students for one month.

A total of 6,498 schools have been damaged in cyclone Fani that ravaged 14 districts in Odisha on May 3. As per initial reports, the School and Mass Education department has assessed a loss of Rs 417.83 crore due to the cyclone.