Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken a significant step towards strengthening early childhood education by launching ‘Shishu Vatika,’ a pre-school initiative under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The programme was introduced alongside ‘Pravesh Divas,’ which marks the official start of student enrolments for the 2025-26 academic session.
At an event held at Badagada High School in Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the initiative, reviving the age-old tradition of ‘Khadi Chuan,’ a ceremonial practice that signifies a child’s first step into formal education. Highlighting the government’s commitment to foundational learning, he emphasized that implementing NEP 2020 is a priority to ensure quality education from an early age.
As part of broader educational reforms, the government has expanded the Midday Meal programme under the ‘Mukhyamantri Poshan Yojana’ to include students of Classes IX and X. Until now, the scheme was only available to students in Classes I to VIII.
“With Pravesh Divas, we have reinstated the ‘Khadi Chuan’ tradition to celebrate the beginning of a child’s academic journey. Additionally, students in Classes IX and X will now receive nutritious meals, including an extra egg and ladoos made from millet and peanuts, as part of the Midday Meal programme,” said CM Majhi.
The Chief Minister criticized the previous government for failing to implement NEP 2020 over the past five years, stating that the new administration is taking swift action to integrate its policies into the state’s education system.
In a video message, CM Majhi assured the public that the government is committed to enhancing the education sector. He emphasized that initiatives like ‘Prabesh Utsav’ and ‘Khadi Chuan’ aim to boost student enrolment and create a welcoming environment for young learners.
“Our vision is to shape an empowered, modern, and self-reliant generation through initiatives like Shishu Vatika,” he stated.