Admission Delay in Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas Worries Berhampur Parents
In Berhampur, a significant delay in the admission process for Class VI at CBSE-affiliated Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas (OAVs) has sparked concern among parents, with two months having passed since the entrance test results were published. The entrance test for admitting 1,760 students across 22 OAVs in the district was conducted on January 9, and the results were announced on February 18. However, admissions have yet to commence, even as classes in other schools have already started for the same grade.
Parental Concerns Over Academic Disruption
PK Moharana, a parent from Berhampur, expressed deep worry about the situation. His son, who secured a place in the merit list, is still waiting to enroll in an OAV. "Classes in other schools have already begun for Class VI, while admission is yet to start in OAVs in the district. We are very concerned about how newly-admitted students will catch up with their peers in other schools to complete their courses effectively," he stated. This delay threatens to disrupt the academic calendar and impact students' learning outcomes.
Background on Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas
Established by the state government in 2016-17, Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas, also known as model schools, aim to provide quality English-medium education from Class VI to XII without requiring students to travel to urban areas. Each school has an intake capacity of 80 students in Class VI, with a reservation of 50 seats for girls, promoting gender equality in education.
Causes of the Admission Delay
Ajay Kumar Patro, the District Education Officer (DEO) of Ganjam, attributed the delay to several factors, primarily the finalization of quotas for public representatives. He explained that the process involves allocating seats for district collectors, MLAs, MPs, and Rajya Sabha members. Specifically, each OAV reserves two seats for the district collector and MLA in their constituency, one seat for the Lok Sabha MP in the parliamentary constituency, and one seat for Rajya Sabha members across the state. "We are finalizing the merit list in most schools and expect to publish the admission list for selected students within a week," Patro assured. He noted that in 2025, the admission process began on April 25, indicating a pattern of delays.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Steps
Sources indicate that the quota allocations have been fixed, and authorities are now working to compile the final admission lists in accordance with CBSE guidelines. The delay has prompted calls for expedited action to ensure students do not fall behind academically. Parents and education advocates are urging the district administration to resolve the issues promptly to minimize further disruption.
This situation highlights challenges in the admission processes of government-run model schools and underscores the need for efficient administrative coordination to uphold educational standards and timelines.
