Odisha Mandates New Opening Rules for Private Schools

04 Jul 2026, 08:21 by Vinay Kakkad · KalingaTV

The Odisha School and Mass Education Department put out a new set of rules for starting private elementary schools in the state. From now on, one cannot run a private primary or upper primary school unless they get both Opening Permission and a Certificate of Recognition (CoR). The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RCFCE) Act, 2009, makes these steps mandatory.

The entire process has been revamped to tighten legal checks and make everything more transparent. Any group wanting to apply has to be officially registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, or the Indian Trusts Act. The government has officially dropped the requirement of submitting an Essentiality Certificate to open an elementary school. Instead, school authorities just need to focus on applying for a CoR, as laid out in Section 18 of the RCFCE Act, 2009.

But it’s not just about legal paperwork. The rules now spell out tough standards for infrastructure and ethics. Schools have to follow core constitutional values and have enough land for students. They also need safe and accessible facilities—decent classrooms, separate toilets, clean water, playgrounds, and ramps for those who need them. There’s no wiggle room about hiring; schools must have qualified teachers and support staff, and they need to meet the staffing levels defined by Sections 19 and 25 of the RCFCE Act, 2009.

The government has mapped out a streamlined way to handle new applications, too. At first, every application is screened, then, if it makes the cut, it goes to the Director of Elementary Education for the official nod. After the Director says yes, the District Education Officer (DEO) gives final opening permission, all in time for the coming school year.

To guarantee sustained compliance and prevent schools from slipping on standards, the state has built in a rigorous framework for ongoing oversight. The order insists that District Education Officers and Block Education Officers check these schools through regular field visits and periodic inspections. If a school doesn’t meet the rules, the department won’t hesitate to take strict legal action. This new order replaces all earlier guidelines and gives the department authority to issue more instructions as needed.