The Odisha government will soon be distributing free uniforms to Classes IX and X students of state-run and aided schools under the Mukhymantri Chhatra Chatri Paridhan Yojana.

Earlier, students up to Class VIII were entitled to free uniforms.

Besides, the Odisha government has decided to provide one-time financial assistance of Rs 50,000 to needy ST/SC students pursuing general degree courses in any government institution in the state from this year.

This was informed by chief minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing the meeting of Tribes Advisory Council here on Tuesday.

Stating that education is the key to socio-economic upliftment, Naveen said: “In the last 20 years, the number of high schools under ST/SC development department has almost doubled, increased from 215 to 422. Similarly, 62 higher secondary schools have been opened for providing higher secondary education."

On the issue of the distribution of uniforms, the directorate of secondary education has issued the guidelines.

As per the guidelines, the students of Classes IX and X will be provided with two pairs of uniforms worth Rs 550, one pair of shoes and two pairs of socks worth Rs 200, one T-shirt worth Rs 125, and one track pant worth Rs 150. The students will wear a checkered white shirt and hunter-green pants. The girls will wear white salwar, green jacket and kurta. The uniform will carry the logo (Ame Gadhibu Nua Odisha - we will build a new Odisha).

The students will be asked to wear T-shirt and track pants with a cap on Saturdays. The funds for the uniforms will be provided by the state plan. Black shoes and white socks will be made compulsory for the students.

The state government has also decided to form a uniform house system for all the schools. As per the guidelines for schools with less than 100 students, two houses will be formed and out of the four T-shirt colours, any two can be chosen. For schools with more than 100 students, four houses will be formed with T-shirts of four colours.