Student Safety / Odisha Govt Announces Aid for School Accident Victims

Bhubaneswar, Sep 5: In a major relief measure, the Odisha government has announced financial assistance for families of students injured or killed in accidents linked to school activities.

The School and Mass Education Department has issued new guidelines ensuring compensation in cases of death, disability, or serious injury.

Officials said the scheme covers all students from pre‑primary to Class XII in government and Adarsha Vidyalayas. The government already provides free admission, uniforms, and mid‑day meals, but this move extends support to families facing unexpected tragedies.

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Under the guidelines, if a student dies or suffers permanent disability due to an accident while traveling to or from school, inside school premises, or from food poisoning during mid‑day meals, the family will receive ₹2 lakh compensation.

For students requiring treatment outside the district after major accidents, the government will provide up to ₹30,000. If a student is hospitalized in a district hospital for more than three days, families will receive ₹10,000.

The assistance will be processed quickly: District Education Officers (DEOs) can release funds within 24 hours of an incident, based on reports from headmasters, Block Education Officers (BEOs), and medical authorities.

The aid will be given to the mother of the student, or the father if the mother is not alive. In cases where both parents are absent, the district collector will decide the beneficiary.

The move is expected to strengthen confidence in government schools and safeguard the interests of poor and middle‑class families.