Odia-Speaking Families in Gajapati Opt for Andhra Schools, Raising Concerns Over Language and Identity

Border Villages Prefer Andhra Schools Over Odisha Government Institutions

In a significant shift, families from more than 50 villages in Odisha’s Gajapati district are enrolling their children in government primary schools across the border in Andhra Pradesh. These villages—mainly from Gosani, Kashinagar, and Rayagada blocks—are witnessing a growing trend where parents prefer Telugu-medium schools in Andhra over Odia-medium schools in their own state.

Facilities and Support Tilt Preference Towards Andhra

Parents cite several reasons for this migration across the state border. Andhra Pradesh government schools offer free uniforms, textbooks, school bags, shoes, nutritious meals, and even study sponsorships from Grade 1 to Class 12. “The facilities in Andhra schools are far superior. Why shouldn’t we give our children better opportunities?” asked a parent from Kerandi panchayat, echoing the sentiments of many others from the region.

Children from Dhamunigaon, Amara, Dalimbapur, and Kerandi panchayats under Gosani block, and from Hadubhangi and Gangabada in Kashinagar and Rayagada blocks, are being sent daily to schools in Kasamala, Basundhara, Meliaputi, Chapara, Ratini, and Kausalyapuram in Andhra Pradesh.

Criticism Mounts Against Local Education Authorities

The shift has triggered outrage among local teachers, community leaders, and officials. Many have criticised the District Education Officer (DEO) of the Odia Development Trust, Mayadhar Sahu, accusing him of failing in his responsibility to promote Odia language and culture in the region. “Is this his personal opinion or an official stand?” questioned a local resident. A school teacher added, “This shows the department’s failure. They don’t even have data on how many students have left for Andhra schools.”

Fear of Cultural and Linguistic Erosion

The exodus is not just about education—it is raising alarm bells about the potential erosion of Odia identity in border villages. As students are increasingly exposed to Telugu as the medium of instruction, many fear that the use of Odia will vanish in classrooms and eventually in homes. “Telugu is dominant here. Odia will fade away completely,” lamented a villager from the border region.

Andhra-Odisha Border Tensions Rekindled

The issue is also reviving longstanding tensions along the Andhra-Odisha border, with villagers alleging that Andhra Pradesh authorities lure residents of Odisha with better government schemes and subsidies. Border disputes and issues of land ownership have historically strained relations between the two states, and this latest development could intensify those frictions.

Call for Urgent Action to Preserve Odia Language

With the migration of students and the growing influence of Telugu, locals are urging the Odisha government to upgrade educational facilities, improve incentives, and take steps to promote and preserve Odia language and culture, especially in vulnerable border regions.