Odisha Government implements National Education Policy 2020

Bhubaneswar, Jan 15: The Odisha government announced the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 across all educational institutions under the School and Mass Education Department. A notification released by the department stated that this decision was made after thorough consideration to enhance the educational framework within the state.

The NEP will be executed in accordance with the National Curriculum Framework, ensuring that it is tailored to the local context. The notification emphasized that the State Curriculum Framework will be developed by adapting the National Curriculum Framework to meet regional needs.

To facilitate school-level reforms, a task force has been established, led by the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary.

In a previous move in November, the government approved the introduction of NEP in higher education. Under the NEP-2020, a new curriculum will be rolled out in all government universities and their affiliated colleges. This will replace the traditional three-year graduation program with a four-year degree structure, allowing students to earn certificates, diplomas, and degrees each year.

Additionally, a credit framework has been introduced following University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, providing students with flexibility and a seven-year timeframe to complete their degrees. Students will also have the opportunity to earn credits through skill development, internships, community service, and participation in extracurricular activities, including NCC and NSS. New courses have been created to focus on employment and align with industry demands.