Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards promoting education in the mother tongue, the Higher Education Department and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 9 to offer several IGNOU courses in Odia.
As part of this initiative, the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (DECE) has been translated into Odia and the course material was officially released today by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.
Previously available in English, Hindi, and Tamil, the DECE course is now accessible in Odia, making it easier for Anganwadi workers, trainers, and pre-school educators to pursue the diploma in their native language. The one-year programme focuses on early childhood education, child health, and nutrition, incorporating both theoretical and practical learning through textbooks, audio cassettes, and video tutorials.
Speaking as the Chief Guest at the programme, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said that the introduction of DECE in Odia is a welcome step. This will particularly benefit Anganwadi workers and trainers, as well as pre-school educators who can now pursue the course in their mother tongue (Odia). She added that making the curriculum available in Odia will make learning simpler and more accessible. The course will also be useful for individuals and organisations interested in child education and nutrition, voluntary organisations, and private playschools.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj remarked that early education forms the foundation of the entire education system, and strengthening it ensures a robust education framework overall. The DECE course offered by IGNOU will help develop the skills of educators, trainers, and workers engaged in early education, enabling them to provide learning through simple and practical methods. He further highlighted that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasises strengthening early education and promoting education up to higher levels in the mother tongue. Learning in one’s mother tongue fosters creativity and strengthens grassroots education, ultimately achieving the goal of “Education for All.”
During the programme, Anganwadi workers enrolled in the diploma course (DECE) joined virtually and expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, and IGNOU officials.
The event was also attended by Aravind Agrawal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Higher Education Department; Monisha Banerjee, Director, Women & Child Development Department; Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU; and other dignitaries.
