Women self-help groups to manage transformed high schools

Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to use women self-help groups (SHGs) for cleaning and security of high school campuses, which were transformed under the 5T initiative. The Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) has written to all district collectors to use SHGs help on top priority for the high school works.
Anupam Saha, member secretary of Mo School and state project director of OSEPA, wrote to all district collectors and chairperson of district level committee, Mo School Abhiyan, on Wednesday requesting them to engage human resources from women SHGs for cleaning, watch and ward/security of school campus under high school transformation (HST) programme.
Saha in the letter said the entire school campus along with the assets created under the 5T-HST programme in selected high schools of the state need regular maintenance. These assets should be kept under proper watch and ward to ensure their longevity and sustainability, he added.
“You are requested to instruct schools to give first priority to utilise the services of Mission Shakti in engagement of human resources for cleaning watch and ward/security of school campus. The engagement may be done on the basis of daily minimum wages for 10 to 15 days per month,” read the letter.
Saha stated in the letter that the expenses towards the engagement of the SHG members may be utilised from the available Mo School funds with the schools under HST. The daily labour rate shall be applicable which is also subject to revision in future by the labour department, he added.
“Efforts should also be taken by schools to mobilize other available resources including the alumni to sustain the process of ensuring watch and ward in schools through contribution under non core activities of Mo School Abhiyan,” said the official communication.
In 2019, the state government had issued detailed guidelines to hand over midday meal (MDM) programmes in schools having more than 100 students to women SHGs. Now the SHG members are managing the MDM programme. SHGs also supply Chhatua to Anganwadi centres in the state.