Students of the state will Enroll in standard one and Sishu Vatika on April 2

• As per the NEP, the age limit for enrolment in class 1 has been fixed at 6 years or above
• Jaadui Pitara will promote foundational skills through play-based learning

 Bhubaneswar, 19th March 2025:The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE) with its commitment to high-quality education for all, has envisaged landmark reforms in the education system for the 21st century. Odisha State has planned to undertake a phased intervention of NEP 2020 from the academic year 2025-26. In the first phase of the implementation Department of School and Mass Education, Odisha earlier in the year vide its notification no. 1234/SME has announced the implementation of the National Education Policy in the State and the adoption of National Curriculum Frameworks with local contextualization as the State Curriculum Frameworks.  The age of enrollment for grade 1 has been revised to be 6 + years as of 1st September of the concerned academic year and the opening of “Shishu Vatika” in all primary schools for preschool education for children who have attained the age of 5 and above, as envisaged in NEP 2020, has been announced vide notification no. 1753/20.01.2025.

Jaadui Pitara has been developed by NCERT based on National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage. To accelerate the awareness, reach, and impact of the transformative idea of Jaadui Pitara as a symbol of NCF-FS, NCERT has released e-Jaadui Pitara mobile app. There are stories, songs, Teacher Tara, Parent Tara, and other activities available in odia language in this app. This app is used by Teachers, Parents, and Students. In our state,e Jaadu Pedi materials have been developed and contextualized by each DIET. SCERT has developed a training module ‘Prayog’ in which one session is there on the use of Jaadu Pedi materials. The State shall supply the education kit (Jaadu Pedi) for the students of class I-V to each Primary School.

As part of the State’s initial steps for policy implementation, Nipun Odisha was launched in September 2024, in alignment with the national policy guidelines underlining the commitment to universal acquisition of foundational literacy and numeracy. The Nipun Song and Logo were launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister on September 5, 2024, through the Nipun Odisha program in the state. Nipun Mela programs have been organized at every cluster, block, and district level of the state to create awareness among the group members. The Nipun Odisha program is still ongoing in various districts.

After consultation with experts and various educationists and experts from different Education Boards, for the better educational development of students, the age of enrollment in class 1 has been fixed at 6 years or above in the National Education Policy 2020. For the convenience of students, the deadline for completing the age of 6 years has been fixed at 1st September instead of 31st March. Based on the NEP the ‘Shishu Vatika’ class for children of 5 to 6 years of age in our state will be functioning in every school from April 2 with the existing infrastructure and manpower. A teacher’s handbook and workbook for children developed by TE&SCERT will be provided. One teacher from each primary school has been trained to take Shishu Vatika class. Government of Odisha has also planned to introduce the new textbooks from classes -1 to 8 aligned with those books prepared by NCERT as per National Curriculum Framework during the next academic year- 2026-2027.

Earlier Government of Odisha had constituted a high-level Task force under the chairpersonship of the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary to suggest measures to be taken up for the implementation of NEP 2020 in the state of Odisha. Subsequently, Government of Odisha has constituted a State Steering Committee vide notification no. 3770/06.02.2025 to develop the State Curriculum Frameworks, chaired by Prof. Nityanand Pradhan, Former Principal of RIE, Bhopal. The committee is responsible for preparing the State Curriculum Frameworks in alignment with the National Curriculum Frameworks with local contextualization. To take this forward the committee has already held 3 meetings and the 4th meeting will be convening from 26th-30th March. Formation of a State Level Committee for the Review of Syllabi and Textbooks is under active consideration by the Government.

The current National Education Policy emphasizes not only classroom education but also multi-lingual education. The policy will promote mother tongue education along with multilingual education. The use of technology will be made in teaching and learning. Therefore, priority will be given to basic literacy and numeracy in all schools up to class III. On April 2, the Pravesh Utsav and Khadi Chhuan for class I and Sishu Vatika will be celebrated in all schools in the state. Invitation letters signed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister are being distributed by the District Administration to the Parents of the children who are eligible to be admitted in Shishu Vatika class. The state government has decided to celebrate this festival in every school in a joyful atmosphere through various activities.