Bhubaneswar, March 6, 2025 – The Odisha government will implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in schools starting April 1, marking the beginning of the 2025-26 academic session, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond announced. A key feature of this initiative is the launch of ‘Shishu Vatikas’, which will provide pre-school education for children aged 5-6 years in primary schools.
The ‘Shishu Vatikas’ will function under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This initiative aims to create a smooth transition from pre-primary education to formal schooling.
School Enrollment Programs Begin April 2
To boost school enrollments, the government will organize ‘Pravesh Utsav’ and ‘Khadi Chhuan’ on April 2. These programs will celebrate the admission of preschoolers to Shishu Vatikas and Class I. Between March 17 and 19, the Chief Minister will personally distribute invitation letters to families of children starting school this year. These enrollment programs will continue until April 5.
Additionally, the government will launch Shiksha Sachetanata Rathas at the block level to identify out-of-school children and ensure their enrollment in age-appropriate classes.
Play-Based Learning for Preschoolers
The Technical Education Directorate and SCERT have developed workbooks for students in Shishu Vatikas. The government will introduce a play-based learning approach, making education more engaging. Primary-grade teachers will receive specialized training by March 15 to implement this method effectively.
To encourage participation, each student will receive a learning kit, which includes a school bag and stationery. The classes will run from 10 AM to 4 PM, utilizing existing school infrastructure and manpower.
Monitoring and Future Expansion
To ensure smooth implementation, the district collectors will establish a dedicated monitoring cell. This unit will provide ongoing support to teachers and track progress regularly.
Over time, the government will also expand infrastructure and provide additional resources to primary schools. With these efforts, Odisha aims to strengthen early childhood education and align its school system with NEP 2020 goals.
