Odisha set to open Sishu Vatika admissions in April as NEP 2020 implementation begins

Bhubaneswar, Jan 21: As Odisha prepares to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in the upcoming academic session, admissions for Sishu Vatika will open for students in the state this April.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan made this announcement during the ‘National Workshop on Implementation of NEP 2020’ held in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.

In his inaugural address, Pradhan urged Odisha's Chief Minister to initiate primary education under the NEP framework on an auspicious date in April, allowing for the enrollment of children aged five years into Sishu Vatika-3 at approximately 63,000 schools across the state.

Criticizing the previous BJD government for neglecting the NEP, he claimed that funds were misallocated to entertainment, dance, and music in education. In contrast, the BJP government recognizes the significance of primary education and aims to reform the educational landscape in Odisha by implementing the NEP.

Pradhan mentioned that children in Odisha would be introduced to the NEP in April through engaging activities like playing with toys and enjoying songs and music. He also expressed plans to visit villages in May and June to investigate the reasons behind student dropouts and to motivate parents to ensure their children receive quality education.

The implementation of NEP 2020 is expected to integrate Odisha’s rich heritage and the region’s long-standing achievements in mathematics, science, and architecture into modern education, providing students with a global perspective while staying connected to their cultural roots.