The new academic session in schools across Odisha will begin from May 1 with a plan of 100 per cent coverage of the syllabus.

Last year, the syllabus was reduced by 30 per cent in view of the Covid-19 situation.

School and mass education minister Samir Ranjan Dash told the media on Saturday: “The new academic year will begin from May 1. The government was considering restoring the single phase board examination system which was held during pre-pandemic time as the CBSE is likely to do the same.”

The minister added that the government was also mulling practical exams for students of classes IX and X.

The state government has also decided to reduce the number of days of the summer vacation so that the teachers will be able to complete the syllabus and students will benefit.

“The summer vacation of schools will begin from June 6 and continue till June 16. The schools will reopen after the vacation on June 17. The teaching hour in the morning classes will be only for three hours 6am to 9am,” officials said.

The class promotion of students from classes I to VIII will be completed by April 20.

All the re-admission will be completed by April 30, the officials said.