Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards enhancing early childhood education in the state, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today launched the ‘Magic Box’ (Jadu Pedhi), an innovative learning kit designed for pre-school children in accordance with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The kit, comprising a collection of engaging magic books, has been developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
The Jadu Pedhi will be distributed to students of Sishu Vatika (pre-school), as well as classes one and two across the state’s 45,000 schools. Officials have stated that each kit has been prepared at a cost of ₹20,000, culminating in a total expenditure of ₹90 crore for this ambitious initiative.
Chief Minister Shri Majhi personally inspected the Jadu Pedhi, specifically designed for children in Sishu Vatika, at Lok Seva Bhawan. He keenly inquired about the kit’s potential to facilitate effective learning among young children.
During the unveiling, Schools and Mass Education Secretary Shalini Pandit briefed the Chief Minister on the diverse range of items included within the Jadupedhi. These items are thoughtfully curated to make learning interactive and enjoyable for young minds.
Expressing his satisfaction after examining the contents of the Magic Box, Chief Minister Shri Majhi remarked that the toys and materials within the kit would enable small children to learn about objects in their immediate surroundings and understand their practical uses.
Secretary Shalini Pandit further emphasized the pedagogical benefits of the Jadu Pedhi, stating that children will learn through play with the included toys, which will simultaneously make the lessons more appealing and captivating for them. This initiative is expected to create a strong foundation for lifelong learning in the early years of education.