Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasised the role of teachers as mentors in nurturing children’s dreams and hidden talents during the state-level Teachers’ Day celebration and Chief Minister’s Education Awards ceremony held at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre.
Paying tribute to former President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the CM Majhi urged educators to identify students’ potential, allow them to pursue their aspirations freely, and guide them toward self-reliance in an era of limitless opportunities.
In his address, CM Majhi highlighted two major challenges in the education system: reducing dropout rates and ensuring quality education for all. He noted the success of the Mid-Day Meal program, which has now been extended to Class 10 with nutritious food provisions. Tribal students are being supported through the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Yojana, expected to further curb dropouts. The new education policy focuses on quality learning, with the launch of the Odisha State Curriculum Framework aimed at fostering creativity and self-reliance among students.
The CM also announced the ‘Padhiba, Gadhiba Odisha’ (Read and Build Odisha) program, which will transform schools into engaging reading spaces through simple storybooks to enhance children’s reading and comprehension skills. This builds on the ongoing Nipun Odisha initiative, started last year, which promotes language proficiency via stories, songs, games, and activities.
To strengthen foundational education, the Godabarish Mishra Model Primary School scheme has been introduced, planning one model school per panchayat. In the first phase, 835 schools will be constructed for Rs 5-7 crore each. Additionally, 45,000 teacher positions at the primary level will be filled over the next three years.
Looking ahead, CM Majhi stressed that Odisha’s vision for a prosperous state by 2036 depends on the talents of today’s students. “You know best how to guide children into becoming good human beings. I trust you will nurture their potential effectively,” he told the gathered teachers.
During the event, the CM presented the Chief Minister’s Education Awards. Jharsuguda district secured first place with a Rs 3 crore prize for excellence in education delivery, followed by Khordha (Rs 2 crore) in second and Jagatsinghpur (Rs 1 crore) in third. Seventy secondary teachers received state-level education awards, along with three District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs), three District Education Officers, and 10 Block Education Officers. Two Scheduled Tribe students who excelled in the NEET exam were also felicitated.
The CM unveiled the ‘Odisha Curriculum Framework for School Education – 2025’, based on the National Education Policy, and a coffee table book marking the first anniversary of Nipun Odisha. He formally launched the ‘Padhiba, Gadhhiba Odisha’ campaign.
School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, in his speech, underscored the ancient guru-shishya tradition and the government’s efforts to provide top-tier education. He highlighted initiatives in life skills, AI, and vocational training to make students self-reliant post-education. The government is actively reducing dropouts through child tracking surveys, setting an example for other states, with a record Rs 31,000 crore allocated to the education budget.
The ceremony was welcomed by School and Mass Education Commissioner-cum-Secretary Shalini Pandit, with OSEPA Project Director Ananya Das delivering the vote of thanks.
