As many as 152 Government-run primary schools which have students less than 40 will be abolished after the Government issued guidelines regarding closure of schools for not having adequate strengths.

According to reports while 81 schools  have strength less than 40, 71 schools have less than 20. They have been identified  by the department.The  students of the schools having less than 40  will be accommodated  in the schools within 1 km of radius , for the students less than 20 strength there is no  such provision and they could take admission  anywhere.

Among the identified schools in different blocks which will be closed while Bahanaga has highest number with 31 , followed by Baliapal 22 schools, the  number of such schools identified in Soro, Basta,  Baleswar Municipality, Nilgiri, Simulia, Khaira,Bhograi , Jaleswar , Oupada and Remuna are 19,14,15,2,12,6,10,10,3 and 8 respectively.

The teachers of the closed schools would be accommodated  in the nearby schools or wherever required. The vacant school buildings and establishments, following  the merger, will be handed over to the Panchayati Raj Department. The Government's decision has evoked mixed reactions from the teacher community as well as parent bodies.

OSSTA ( Orissa Secondary School Teachers' Association)  district president Badal Patra said, “There are two reasons for not having adequate strength in these schools.

 One, not having adequate infrastructure; two, permission  to private English medium schools which stand as keen competitors. Hence, the Government should address these issues.”

Santanu Das, a member of parents’ body, welcomed the decision and said it would ensure qualitative education.