Bhubaneswar, Oct 5 (IANS): The Odisha government on Monday said 100 model schools will start functioning from the next academic session (2016-17) in the state.

"While the state government has set a target to open model schools in each block, 100 such schools will begin functioning from next academic session in the first phase," said School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra.

The decision was taken in a meeting here on Monday chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Mishra said a total of 1,772 employees, including 1,332 teachers, would be appointed in these model schools. The appointment process of 1,332 teachers and 440 staffers in the 100 such schools would be completed by March next year.

The model schools, meant to impart education from Class I to Class XII, will be carved out at par with the central government-run Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV), the Chief Minister's Office said in a statement.

Vocational courses would also be a major part of the curriculum, it added.

Patnaik directed officials to expedite the construction of buildings and other infrastructural works to ensure that education is imparted in the model schools from the 2016-17 academic session.

The model schools, to be managed by autonomous bodies, will also have residential facilities for students.