THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 2, 2026

Declaring that dismantling decades of stagnation and transforming Odisha's education system into a world-class model is his government's foremost priority, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday unveiled a bold and transformative vision for the State's academic future.

Addressing a two-day national workshop on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at the Convention Centre here, the Chief Minister called for a revolutionary overhaul of Odisha's educational ecosystem and laid out an ambitious roadmap to establish the State as India's premier knowledge hub.

Speaking on the occasion, Majhi said the NEP-2020, crafted under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is far more than a policy document — it is a national mission aimed at positioning India as the "Knowledge Capital" of the world. "Education is not merely about textbooks; it is the foundation of human civilization and the driving force behind progress. Our commitment is to ensure that every child in Odisha becomes industry-ready and globally competitive," he asserted.

Reaffirming education as the government's highest priority, the Chief Minister highlighted that a massive allocation of Rs 41,273 crore has been earmarked for the education sector in the 2025-26 financial year. He described this unprecedented investment as a strong foundation for the bright future of Odisha's youth and a significant step toward upgrading the State's educational infrastructure to global standards.

In a landmark initiative aimed at bridging the urban-rural educational divide, the State Government has launched the Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Vidyalaya Yojana. Under this ambitious programme, an investment of Rs 12,000 crore will be made to establish one state-of-the-art school in each of Odisha's 6,794 gram panchayats. These institutions will offer modern classrooms, advanced laboratories, and high-quality sports infrastructure comparable to urban schools, enabling talented students in rural areas to access world-class education within their own communities.

Emphasising social justice and inclusive growth, Majhi announced that the government has implemented 11.25 per cent reservation for students belonging to the SEBC category in higher education. Additionally, to curb dropout rates among Scheduled Tribe students, direct financial assistance is being provided through the Shaheed Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Yojana. He said these transformative measures would ensure that children from the most marginalised sections are integrated into the mainstream educational framework.

The Chief Minister also underlined the government's commitment to promoting Odia identity and strengthening mother-tongue education. In a significant move, the State has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IGNOU to introduce technical and higher education courses in the Odia language. This initiative will help eliminate language barriers and enable students to grasp complex subjects more effectively in their native tongue.

Majhi expressed confidence that these initiatives would play a pivotal role in shaping Odisha into one of the country's leading knowledge-based societies in the years to come.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who also addressed the gathering, praised Odisha's rich heritage and unique synthesis of culture and education. He said that Odisha is perhaps the only State in India where tradition and learning blend so harmoniously. The philosophical legacy of luminaries such as Sarala Das, Fakir Mohan Senapati, and Bhima Bhoi has given Odisha a distinguished identity on the global stage, he said.

Pradhan further noted that nearly 70 per cent of Odisha's population is below the age of 44, presenting immense opportunities for innovation and nation-building. "Education today is no longer confined to earning degrees; it is about capability building," he said. With Odisha's Gross Enrolment Ratio currently at 23 per cent, he urged the State to surpass the national average of 29 per cent by 2036.

Odisha’s Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj described the workshop as not merely a discussion forum but a "chintan shivir" for building a developed Odisha. Highlighting the State's recent achievements, he said Odisha has secured more than Rs 700 crore under the PM-USHA scheme. He also noted that new Vice-Chancellors have been appointed in 14 universities to enhance academic excellence and institutional governance.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister unveiled the Chief Minister's Internship Guidelines aimed at empowering youth and students. He also launched the 'ShaktiShree' mobile application, a significant initiative focused on the empowerment of women students across the State.

Earlier, Higher Education Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aravind Agrawal welcomed the dignitaries and outlined the objectives of the national workshop.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Director of Higher Education Kali Prasanna Mohapatra, who expressed gratitude to the guests, academicians, Vice-Chancellors, and members of the media for their participation.