IGNOU’s Early Childhood Care Diploma Now Available in Odia

Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards promoting mother tongue-based higher education, the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (DECE) offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has now been made available in Odia. The Odia course book and study material were formally released today by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj in Bhubaneswar.

The initiative follows the MoU signed on June 9 between the Higher Education Department and IGNOU to introduce a range of IGNOU programmes in Odia, covering undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate courses, as well as vocational and management programmes.

Earlier offered only in English, Hindi, and Tamil, the DECE is now accessible in Odia—benefiting Anganwadi workers, pre-school educators, trainers, and students pursuing careers in child education and nutrition. The one-year diploma course, open to students after +2, combines theory, practical training, audio-visual tutorials, and hands-on experience in early childhood education, health, and nutrition.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida described the move as “a welcome step that makes higher education more inclusive.” She noted that learning in Odia would simplify the curriculum for thousands of Anganwadi workers and trainers, while also supporting voluntary organisations and private playschools engaged in early education.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj emphasized that early education lays the foundation for the entire education system. He highlighted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 advocates mother tongue-based learning, adding that the availability of DECE in Odia would foster creativity, improve grassroots education, and strengthen the goal of “Education for All.”

The event was attended by Aravind Agrawal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Higher Education Department; Monisha Banerjee, Director, Women & Child Development Department; Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU, along with other dignitaries.