Odisha Government to Establish Sishu Vatikas Under NEP

In a pioneering move towards enhancing early childhood education, the Odisha government has announced plans to establish ‘Sishu Vatikas‘ centres across the state. This initiative, announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on January 21, 2025, during the inauguration of a national workshop on the National Education Policy (NEP) in Bhubaneswar, aims to lay a strong foundation for young learners by prioritizing pre-school education.

Sishu Vatikas: Revolutionizing Pre-School Education in Odisha

The concept of Sishu Vatikas is not just about creating physical spaces for children but about revolutionizing early education in line with the NEP-2020. These centres are envisioned to:

• Provide an environment where children can gain basic and numerical knowledge without the pressure typically associated with formal education.
• Emphasize on the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual growth of children, aligning with the holistic approach advocated by NEP.

Details of the Initiative

The Chief Minister’s vision for Sishu Vatikas includes:

• Comprehensive Foundation: Over the coming years, the government plans to establish a robust educational foundation, focusing on teacher recruitment, textbook preparation, and providing other educational materials.
• Educational Relevance: Curriculum development will be tailored to reflect Odisha’s civilization, cultural values, history, heritage, and knowledge traditions, ensuring that education is contextually relevant.

National Education Policy 2020 and Its Impact

The NEP-2020, with its principles of being qualitative, inclusive, holistic, accountable, and accessible, forms the backbone of this initiative:

• Five Pillars of NEP: The policy is structured around five key aspects, which will guide the operation of Sishu Vatikas:
  • Qualitative: Ensuring high standards of education.
  • Inclusive: Catering to all children, irrespective of their socio-economic background.
  • Holistic: Focusing on the all-round development of the child.
  • Accountable: Transparency in education delivery and outcomes.
  • Accessible: Making education reachable to every child in Odisha.
• Simplification of Examinations: The policy advocates for a simplified examination process with a focus on transparent evaluation and prioritizing learning outcomes, which will influence how assessments are conducted in Sishu Vatikas.

Multilingual Education and Cultural Integration Through Sishu Vatikas

One of the unique aspects of the NEP-2020, which will be implemented in Sishu Vatikas, is the emphasis on multilingual education:

• Children will be exposed to multiple languages, including Odia, from an early age, promoting linguistic diversity and cognitive development.
• Education will be deeply rooted in Odisha’s rich cultural tapestry, ensuring that children grow up with a strong sense of identity and heritage.

Government’s Commitment to Education Reform

The Odisha government’s commitment to this educational reform is evident through various actions:

• Workshop on NEP: A three-day national workshop was organized to devise implementation strategies, attended by key figures like Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond.
• Tribal Education: Efforts are also underway to reduce the dropout rate among tribal students through initiatives like the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Yojana, which could complement the Sishu Vatika program by providing a continuous educational pathway.
• Engage Communities: Involve local communities in the educational process, fostering a sense of ownership and participation in the children’s education.
• Set a Precedent: Position Odisha as a leader in early childhood education reform, potentially influencing other states to adopt similar models.