
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced a comprehensive reform package for Odisha’s school education system, aimed at strengthening learning outcomes and aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
At a review meeting of the School & Mass Education Department, the CM said education would be the backbone of the state’s vision for a “Prosperous Odisha by 2036.”
Key Announcements
- Single School Board: The Board of Secondary Education (BSE) and Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) will be merged into one body for smoother administration.
- Teacher Recruitment & Regularisation: All schematic primary teachers will be regularised. In addition, 44,433 new posts will be filled over the next three years — around 15,000 annually — to address the shortage in 45,000+ primary schools.
- Free Textbooks: From now on, every student in Classes 1–10 will receive free textbooks, not just SC/ST children in higher classes.
- Institutional Strengthening: SCERT will be upgraded on the NCERT model, and the Textbook Publication & Marketing Directorate will be reinforced.
- Student Health & Safety: An ANM or health worker will be appointed for every 300 hostel students to ensure better healthcare support.
- Focus on Tribal Education: Instruction in tribal mother tongues will be promoted, with a multilingual education centre coming up in Koraput in partnership with SCSTRTI.
- Special Education Support: B.Ed-qualified regular teachers will serve as resource persons for differently-abled children.
- Digital Governance: Approvals for private schools will be processed through a fully online system.
The Chief Minister emphasised that upcoming reforms would prioritise both quality learning and student well-being.
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The meeting was attended by School & Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, and other senior officials.
