Odisha Govt Renames ‘Mo School Abhiyan’, Sparks Political Debate

The state allocates Rs 332 crore for the scheme in this financial year.

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has renamed the 'Mo School Abhiyan,' an initiative aimed at improving government schools by connecting alumni and the community with their alma maters. The program will now be known as 'Panchasakha Shikshya Setu.' 

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The decision to rename the scheme was announced by Nityananda Gond, the Minister for School and Mass Education, as part of the new BJP government’s efforts to honor historical figures who contributed to Odisha’s development. Gond emphasized that this move is meant to recognize the contributions of the state's legendary leaders. 

Following this change, the School and Mass Education department has been instructed to implement the new name and continue the initiative under its updated title. This came after a directive from the Planning and Convergence department. 

A budget of Rs 332 crore has been earmarked for the scheme this financial year. Launched on November 14, 2017, during the previous BJD government, the Mo School Abhiyan aimed to revamp government and government-aided schools by engaging alumni and local communities. The initiative has seen significant participation and has mobilized Rs 1,000 crore through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions, along with Rs 230 crore from alumni associations for the development of schools across Odisha. 

However, the renaming of the scheme has sparked political controversy. Opposition parties, including the BJD and Congress, criticized the decision, claiming that the BJP government is merely rebranding an old initiative to take credit for work started by the previous administration. 

BJD MLA Sarada Jena said, "There is nothing new in the renamed scheme. This is just an attempt to mislead people and take credit for what BJD initiated." 

In response, Minister Gond remarked, “The BJP government is committed to honoring those who contributed to Odisha’s progress. Renaming projects after such leaders is a way to pay tribute. The previous government, however, was more focused on promoting its own party.” 

Despite the political debate, the focus of the program remains the same – improving the quality of education in government schools through community participation and alumni support. With a significant budget and continued efforts, the state government hopes the 'Panchasakha Shikshya Setu' will further strengthen the education system in Odisha.