Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Beginning with the academic year 2025–2026, the Odisha government intends to gradually adopt the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. All people should have access to high-quality education, and the policy seeks to revolutionize the 21st-century educational system. The state government will introduce an extra pre-primary class, known as “Shishu Vatika,” in all Odisha primary schools starting in the 2025–2026 school year as part of the implementation. Preschool or nursery school is open to children ages 5 to 6, while class 1 is open to those ages 6 and up.
Based on the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage, NCERT created Jaadui Pitara. NCERT has created the e-Jaadui Pitara mobile app in an effort to increase the transformational notion of Jaadui Pitara as a symbol of NCF-FS’s visibility, reach, and influence. This software includes tales, songs, Teacher Tara, Parent Tara, and other activities in Oriya. Teachers, parents, and students all utilize this app. Every DIET in our state has created and contextualized Jaadu Pedi materials. SCERT created the “Prayog” training module, which includes a lesson on using Jaadu Pedi resources. Each primary school’s class I–V pupils will get an education kit (Jaadu Pedi) from the state.
The State established Nipun Odisha in September 2024 as part of its first efforts to execute the strategy, adhering to the national policy guidelines that emphasize the commitment to universal learning of core reading and numeracy. On September 5, 2024, the Chief Minister introduced the Nipun Song and Logo as part of the state’s Nipun Odisha initiative. To raise awareness among the group members, Nipun Mela activities have been held at the state’s cluster, block, and district levels. In certain areas, the Nipun Odisha initiative is still in operation.
In the National Education Policy 2020, the age of enrollment in class 1 has been set at 6 years or older for the better educational development of pupils, following consultation with a number of education professionals and experts from various Education Boards. The deadline for reaching the age of six has been moved from March 31 to September 1 for the convenience of the pupils.
According to the NEP, starting on April 2, every school in our state will offer “Shishu Vatika” classes for students ages five to six using the staff and facilities already in place. There will be a teacher’s guide and a children’s workbook created by TE&SCERT. Each elementary school has a qualified instructor who teaches Shishu Vatika classes. During the upcoming academic year, 2026–2027, the Odisha government also intends to release new textbooks for classes 1–8 that correspond with those created by NCERT in accordance with the National Curriculum Framework.
