Bhubaneswar: In Alignment with the mandate of National Educational Policy (NEO), 2020, the State government has decided to open Shishu Vatika for children in the age group of 5 and 6 from the academic year 2025-26.
School and Mass Education Secretary Shalini Pandit has issued detailed guidelines to all Collectors in this regard.
As per the guidelines, the children in the age group of 5-6 years will be admitted in Shishu Vatika class in Primary Schools using existing manpower and infrastructure. The Instructional hours for Sishu Vatika Class will be from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will distribute Nimantrana Patra at the State level during 17th to 19th March, 2025 to families of children who would be attending ‘Shishu Vatika’ and ‘Class-l’ to highlight the significance of the campaign.
The Academic Year will commence from April 1, 2025. A massive state-wide campaign on “Pravesh Utsav” and “Khadi Chhuan” will be celebrated on April 2, 2025 in all schools with participation from parents, elected representatives, senior officials and civil society members. The School level program will then extend from 3rdi to 5th April 2025 with participation of teachers and students exclusively.
From the academic year 2025-26, the minimum age of the child for admission in Class-1 will be 6+ years as on September 1 of that Academic Year.
To provide quality pre-school education, the Student Workbook has been developed by TE&SCERT and the same will be supplied for all the students by April 1, 2025, she said.
To help integrate students into the school system, all “Sishu Vatika” students will be provided with a learning kit, including a School Bag and Stationeries to encourage their active participation in the classroom.
The Department will distribute a teachers handbook developed by TE&SCERT to Primary grade teachers to assist them in enhancing their classroom practices and ensuring smooth classroom transactions.
Training will be imparted to all Primary Grade Teachers on the module, “Prastuti” which is to be completed by March 15. Jaadui Pitara (Jaadu Pedi) will be provided to each school to promote the acquisition of foundational skills through a play-based learning method.
For effective implementation of Sishu Vatika and NIPUN Odisha, a dedicated cell at the district level will be established to handhold and support teachers in adopting effective classroom practices and monitor the progress of the Mission on a regular and periodic basis, Smt.Pandit said.
Further, additional infrastructure and pedagogical support will be provided in all primary schools in a phased manner over the coming months and years, she assured.