In a bid to improve attendance in schools, the Odisha government on Saturday decided to provide transportation cost to students who stay more than a kilometre away from their schools. The decision was taken at review meeting chaired by School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash. "If the distance exceeds one km, travel expense will be given to parents of the children," the minister said. He said the cash incentive will be given to parents for 10 months in a year.
Similarly, Rs 300 will be given to students with attendance between 50 to 70 percent, the minister said, adding, no transportation cost will be provided to students with less than 30 percent attendance.