Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan participated in a high-level review meeting on curriculum reform and textbook development in Odisha. The meeting focused on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the state’s preparedness for introducing new textbooks aligned with the national curriculum framework.
The meeting was attended by Nityananda Gond, Minister, S&ME, Archana Sharma Awasthi, Additional Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Government of India, N. Tirumala Naik, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, School and Mass Education Department, Ananaya Das, SPD, OSEPA, Manoj Ku Padhy, Director, TE&SCERT, Balmukund Bhuyan, Director, Elementary Education, senior faculty members from NCERT, and other senior officials. District Education Officers from all 30 districts, along with principals of DIETs, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas, and Eklavya Model Residential Schools joined the meeting virtually.
The state government informed that, in line with NEP 2020, Odisha is developing new textbooks and plans to introduce 55 newly developed textbooks for Classes I to VIII from the academic year 2026–27. These textbooks have been translated and contextualised from NCERT materials to reflect Odisha’s local needs, culture, and heritage.
During the interaction, the Union Education Minister reviewed the progress of curriculum development and capacity building of Master Resource Persons across districts. He also advised district officials to actively engage students and parents to create awareness and enthusiasm about the new textbooks. On the occasion, Dharmendra Pradhan gave four key suggestions to strengthen the education system in the state:
- To give priority to NIPUN Bharat and strengthen Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN).
- To promote mother-tongue-based education at least up to Class V.
- To further strengthen the PM-POSHAN scheme with emphasis on student nutrition.
- To expand the implementation of 10 bagless school days per year for students of Classes VI to X as envisaged in NEP 2020.
School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond shared the state government’s perspective, stating that Odisha has translated and contextualised 55 NCERT textbooks under NEP 2020. He further informed that Odisha has introduced three new subject areas i.e. Art Education, Physical Education & Well-being, and Vocational Education, to promote holistic development of students. He emphasized that the reforms go beyond curriculum change and represent a collective commitment towards shaping the future of children and the progress of Odisha.
The Additional Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Government of India, highlighted that effective implementation of NEP 2020 in Odisha is a shared responsibility, with teachers playing a crucial role. She expressed confidence that Master Resource Persons would successfully disseminate NEP principles to teachers across the state. The Commissioner-cum-Secretary, School and Mass Education Department delivered the welcome address, while the Director, TE&SCERT gave vote of thanks.
Odisha has adopted a proactive approach towards NEP implementation by preparing a comprehensive roadmap. A national-level conference held in January 2025, with participation of eminent educationists and policymakers, deliberated on aligning the National Curriculum Framework with Odisha’s cultural context. Under the chairmanship of Prof. Nityananda Pradhan, the State Steering Committee developed the Odisha School Curriculum Framework, which has been approved by NCERT and was formally launched on September 5, 2025, by the Chief Minister of Odisha.
The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) have completed translation and contextualisation of all 55 new textbooks, which will be implemented in all schools from the academic year 2026–27. To ensure smooth rollout, 1,000 Master Resource Persons have been trained in four batches across four zones of the state. These Master Resource Persons will subsequently train over 1.66 lakh primary teachers from the School and Mass Education Department and ST&SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department at the district level.
