Bhubaneswar: The state government will appoint ‘Sishu Sevikas’ in Sishu Vatikas (pre-primary classes) opened at government-run primary schools in Odisha.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has taken a decision in this regard, said the state government in a statement today.

“The Sishu Sevikas (childcare assistants) will be appointed in Sishu Vatikas to ease non-academic workloads on the teachers,” added the government.

As per the decision, the Sishu Sevikas are entitled to salary at par with the cooks engaged in schools for the preparation of midday meals. The expenditure in this regard will be borne from the funds allocated for the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.

The state government has opened Sishu Vatikas at 45,000 government-run primary schools in Odisha from this academic session to provide pre-school education to children in 5-6 years age.

The state government will appoint one or more Sishu Sevikas in these Sishu Vatikas depending upon the number of children enrolled to the facilities.