Bhubaneswar: The Odisha School and Mass Education Department has notified a new regulatory framework for the establishment of private primary and upper primary schools across the state, making it mandatory for all new institutions to obtain Opening Permission and a Certificate of Recognition (CoR) from the state government before commencing operations.
The revised guidelines aim to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve educational standards, and ensure that private elementary schools provide a safe, inclusive, and quality learning environment in accordance with national education norms.
Prior Government Approval Now Mandatory
According to the official notification, no private entity will be permitted to establish or operate a primary or upper primary school without first securing Opening Permission from the competent authority. After fulfilling all prescribed conditions, schools must also obtain a formal Certificate of Recognition (CoR) from the government.
The move is intended to ensure that only institutions meeting the required academic, infrastructural, and administrative standards are allowed to function.
Eligibility Criteria for Establishing Private Schools
The department has laid down a comprehensive set of conditions that every applicant must satisfy before receiving approval to establish an elementary school.
Under the new framework:
- The applicant institution or organisation must be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or the Indian Trusts Act.
- The proposed school must uphold the values and principles enshrined in the Constitution of India.
- Adequate land must be available in a safe, hygienic, and healthy environment suitable for children.
- Essential infrastructure, including classrooms, separate toilets, safe drinking water, playgrounds, ramps for children with disabilities, and other basic facilities, must be provided.
- The institution must appoint qualified and professionally trained teaching and non-teaching staff as per prescribed norms.
- Schools must comply with the infrastructure and teacher-related standards specified under Sections 19 and 25 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
The government has also clarified that applicants will not be required to submit an Essentiality Certificate while seeking Opening Permission for establishing elementary schools, simplifying the approval process.
Revised Approval Process
The notification introduces a structured approval mechanism for private school applications.
Applications submitted by private managements will first be scrutinised by the respective District Education Officer (DEO) before being forwarded to the Director of Primary Education for evaluation.
Once the Director grants approval, the concerned DEO will issue the final Opening Permission. Institutions will only be allowed to begin functioning after obtaining this permission and before the commencement of the relevant academic session.
Officials said the revised process is designed to ensure greater transparency, accountability, and uniformity in granting permissions to new private schools.
Regular Inspections and Monitoring
The School and Mass Education Department has also announced that all recognised private elementary schools will be subject to periodic inspections and continuous monitoring by education authorities.
Officials will verify whether schools continue to comply with the prescribed infrastructure, staffing, and operational norms. Any institution found violating the rules or failing to maintain the required standards may face legal and administrative action under the applicable provisions.
Focus on Quality Education
The new guidelines reflect the Odisha government’s efforts to strengthen the quality of elementary education by ensuring that private schools operate within a robust regulatory framework.
By making prior government approval mandatory and enforcing regular monitoring, the state aims to promote better learning environments, improve educational standards, and safeguard the interests of students while ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Right to Education Act.
