Berhampur: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized the critical role of education in building a prosperous Odisha as the state approaches its centenary in 2036. He made these remarks while participating in the centenary celebrations of Bhimpur Advanced High School in Ganjam district.
Shri Majhi began by paying heartfelt tribute to the school’s founder, the Inspiring Teacher Bhagwan Panda. He noted that the institution commenced its noble journey of imparting knowledge on March 15, 1924, and has been a beacon of learning in the region for the past ten decades.
Reflecting on the historical context of education in India, the Chief Minister highlighted the traditional Guru-Shishya system and contrasted it with the education policy introduced during British rule, which he stated primarily aimed at creating clerks and officers rather than fostering true knowledge and character. He lamented the continuation of this system for many years after independence.
“The true purpose of education is to nurture children into responsible citizens and empower them to build a strong society,” asserted Shri Majhi. He lauded the transformative changes brought about in the national education system under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, particularly the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Expressing disappointment over its delayed implementation in Odisha, he announced that his government has now implemented the NEP, anticipating a significant positive impact on the state’s education sector.
To strengthen the foundation of education, Shri Majhi announced the implementation of pre-primary education, or ‘Sishubatika,’ aligned with NEP 2020. He also highlighted the launch of the ‘Skilled Odisha Mission,’ designed to improve basic literacy and numeracy among students, ensuring a smoother transition to higher education.
Sharply criticizing the previous government’s ‘5T school’ initiative, the Chief Minister termed it a “farce,” citing that only a meager 16 percent of schools had internet connectivity, contrary to the claims of digital transformation. He asserted that no genuine efforts were made to enhance the quality of education for children.
In a significant announcement, Shri Majhi declared the launch of the ‘Godavarish Mishra Adarsh Pratya Vidyalaya Yojana’ dedicated to the development of primary schools. This scheme promises qualified and trained teachers along with improved infrastructure at the panchayat level.
Addressing the issue of dropout rates among tribal children, he announced the ‘Madhosing Hath Kharcha Yojana.’ He further underscored his government’s commitment to education by highlighting a record allocation of ₹31,000 crore for primary education in the current budget. Additionally, he mentioned the ‘Chief Minister’s Poshan Yojana,’ which provides nutritious mid-day meals to children. He expressed confidence that these initiatives will significantly elevate the quality of education across Odisha in the coming years.
Responding to various requests from Bhimpur Advanced High School, Chief Minister Shri Majhi assured that the institution would be recognized as a heritage school. He directed the District Magistrate to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for infrastructure development and pledged that all legitimate demands of the school would be fulfilled with necessary funds allocated by the government.