Bhubaneswar: The state cabinet, chaired by chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on Tuesday approved a proposal to provide free textbooks to all Class IX and X students studying in govt and govt-aided schools from the current academic year. The CM had announced the proposal along with free midday meals for the high school students in Aug.At present, free textbooks are provided to all students from classes I to VIII and to SC/ST students of classes IX and X. With the latest decision, the benefit will be extended to all students in the secondary classes, irrespective of category.The scheme, ‘Supply of Free Textbooks’, will be implemented for five years, from 2025-26 to 2029-30, at an estimated cost of Rs 284.07 crore. Around 28.7 lakh students are expected to benefit during the period.The initiative aims to ensure equitable access to education, reduce the financial burden on families, improve enrolment in govt schools, curb dropout rates and facilitate a smoother transition from elementary to secondary education.School and mass education department will undertake procurement, printing, transportation and distribution of textbooks through a transparent and competitive process in accordance with the govt norms. The department has also been tasked with establishing a robust mechanism for collection, verification and validation of beneficiary data.Officials said textbooks would be supplied to schools before the commencement of each academic session to ensure timely distribution among students.