Dikhyaa Mohanty 
As the state nears its centenary in 2036, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized the critical role that education plays in creating a flourishing Odisha. He spoke these things on Sunday at the centennial celebrations of Ganjam district’s Bhimpur Advanced (Unnita) High School. The Chief Minister began by honoring the renowned educator Bhagwan Panda, who founded the institution. Majhi pointed out that Bhimpur High School has been a knowledge hub in the area for more than a century, having started operations on March 15, 1924.
Majhi, who reflected on the history of education in India, talked about the Guru-Shishya system and compared it to the education strategy of the British era, which he claimed was more concerned with producing clerks and officers than with developing genuine knowledge and character. He bemoaned the system’s persistence even after India attained independence.
“The true purpose of education is to nurture responsible citizens who can contribute to building a strong society,” Majhi asserted. He commended the changes brought about in India’s education system under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Expressing concern over its delayed implementation in Odisha, he announced that the state government has now adopted the NEP, with expectations for significant improvements in the education sector.
Chief Minister Majhi declared the start of pre-primary education, or “Sishubatika,” in line with the NEP, in an effort to further fortify the educational system. Additionally, he launched the “Skilled Odisha Mission,” which aims to improve basic reading and numeracy skills to help students make an easier transition to higher education.
The previous government’s “5T school” effort was harshly condemned by Majhi, who called it a “farce” and pointed out that just 16 percent of schools have internet access, which is far less than the boasts of digital transformation. “No significant efforts were made to improve the quality of education,” he said.
Majhi made a big announcement when he introduced the “Godavarish Mishra Adarsh Pratya Vidyalaya Yojana,” a new program aimed at improving primary schools. According to the idea, elementary schools would have better facilities at the panchayat level and trained instructors.
