Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today tabled the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Report on School Education in Odisha (Report No. 5 of 2025) in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, exposing significant deficiencies in planning, infrastructure, fund utilisation, and educational outcomes between 2018-19 and 2022-23. The Finance Accounts and Appropriation Accounts for 2023-24 were also presented before the House.

A detailed press briefing followed at the Office of the Principal Accountant General (Audit–I), addressed by Shri Atul Prakash, Accountant General, along with senior officials.

Persistent Underutilisation of Funds

The report highlighted that the School and Mass Education (SME) Department consistently failed to use its allocated budget.

• Savings and surrender of funds ranged from 5% (2022-23) to 18% (2021-22).

• Overall savings/surrender during 2018–23 stood at 12%.

• Under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, fund utilisation remained poor, between 44% and 50%.

Declining Enrolment and Transition Rates

The CAG raised serious concerns regarding student participation at the secondary level.

• Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in both Secondary and Higher Secondary levels declined in Odisha, while the national GER increased during the same period.

• Net Enrolment Rate (NER) also witnessed a drop, lagging behind the national trend.

• The transition rate from Secondary to Higher Secondary level declined in Odisha, in contrast to a rise at the national level.

Severe Gaps in Classroom Infrastructure

The audit revealed widespread infrastructural shortages across schools:

• 12% of Primary, 24% of Upper Primary, 42% of Secondary, and 57% of Higher Secondary schools had adverse Student-Classroom Ratios (SCR).

• In 23% of test-checked schools, one classroom was shared by multiple classes.

• In 43% of the test-checked schools, students were found sitting on the floor due to lack of furniture.

Adverse Teacher Availability Ratios

Teacher shortages remain a critical challenge:

• 48% of Primary schools, 43% of Upper Primary, 10% of Secondary, and 89% of Higher Secondary schools faced adverse Pupil-Teacher Ratios (PTR).
  These ratios reflect significant teacher vacancies across key stages of education.

Incomplete Coverage of Student Welfare Schemes

The audit also detected gaps in key student support schemes:

• Odisha supplied free uniforms to 214.98 lakh students (98%) out of 218.49 lakh eligible students, leaving 3.51 lakh students without the benefit.

• At least 1.73 lakh students (6%) were deprived of bicycle incentives statewide.

• In test checks covering 42 schools, 1,671 students (11%) had not received bicycles during 2018–23.

Need for Urgent Corrective Measures

The CAG’s findings highlight systemic issues in school planning, infrastructure development, fund management, and delivery of welfare schemes. The report calls for strong governmental intervention, better utilisation of funds, improved monitoring, and enhanced teacher and classroom availability to ensure quality education for all students in Odisha.

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