Students of the state will Enroll in standard one and Sishu Vatika on April 2

Jaadui Pitara to Promote Foundational Skills through Play-Based Learning

Bhubaneswar : The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, issued by the Ministry of Education (MoE) with its commitment to high-quality education for all, has introduced landmark reforms in the education system for the 21st century. Odisha State has planned a phased implementation of NEP 2020, starting from the academic year 2025-26.

In the first phase, the Department of School and Mass Education, Odisha, through its notification no. 1234/SME issued earlier this year, announced the implementation of NEP 2020 in the state and the adoption of National Curriculum Frameworks with local contextualization as the State Curriculum Frameworks. The age of enrollment for Grade 1 has been revised to 6+ years as of 1st September of the respective academic year. Additionally, in line with NEP 2020, the state has announced the establishment of “Shishu Vatika” in all primary schools to provide pre-school education for children aged 5 and above, as per notification no. 1753/20.01.2025.

Jaadui Pitara, developed by NCERT based on the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCF-FS), aims to enhance foundational learning through play-based methods. To maximize awareness and outreach of this transformative initiative, NCERT has launched the e-Jaadui Pitara mobile app. This app includes stories, songs, Teacher Tara, Parent Tara, and other interactive activities available in the Odia language. The app is widely used by teachers, parents, and students. In Odisha, Jaadu Pedi materials have been developed and adapted by each District Institute of Education and Training (DIET). The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has also developed a training module, ‘Prayog,’ which includes a dedicated session on using Jaadu Pedi materials. The state government will provide the Jaadu Pedi educational kit for students of Classes I-V in every primary school.

As part of the state’s initial steps toward policy implementation, Nipun Odisha was launched in September 2024, aligning with national policy guidelines that emphasize the universal acquisition of foundational literacy and numeracy. The Nipun Song and Logo were inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister on September 5, 2024, under the Nipun Odisha program. Awareness initiatives, including Nipun Mela programs, have been conducted at cluster, block, and district levels across the state, and the program continues to be implemented in various districts.

Following consultations with experts and educationists from various boards, the age of enrollment in Class 1 has been officially set at 6 years and above under NEP 2020 to ensure better educational outcomes. To facilitate student convenience, the cutoff date for completing 6 years of age has been revised to 1st September instead of 31st March. Based on NEP 2020, Shishu Vatika classes for children aged 5 to 6 will commence in every school from April 2, utilizing existing infrastructure and manpower. A teacher’s handbook and workbooks for children, developed by TE & SCERT, will be provided. Additionally, one teacher from each primary school has been trained to conduct Shishu Vatika classes.

The Government of Odisha has also planned to introduce new textbooks for Classes 1-8, aligned with NCERT books under the National Curriculum Framework, from the academic year 2026-27.

Previously, the Government of Odisha constituted a high-level task force under the chairmanship of the Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary to recommend measures for NEP 2020 implementation in the state. Subsequently, a State Steering Committee was formed through notification no. 3770/06.02.2025, chaired by Prof. Nityanand Pradhan, former Principal of RIE, Bhopal, to develop the State Curriculum Frameworks in alignment with national guidelines while incorporating local contextualization. The committee has already conducted three meetings, and the fourth meeting is scheduled from 26th-30th March. The formation of a State-Level Committee for the Review of Syllabi and Textbooks is currently under active consideration by the government.

The National Education Policy prioritizes multilingual education, encouraging the use of mother tongue along with other languages in teaching. Additionally, the policy emphasizes integrating technology into learning. As part of foundational literacy and numeracy promotion, priority will be given to basic reading and mathematical skills up to Class III.

On April 2, the Pravesh Utsav and Khadi Chhuan ceremonies for Class I and Shishu Vatika students will be celebrated in all schools across the state. Invitation letters, signed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, are being distributed by the District Administration to parents of eligible children. The state government has decided to make this event a joyful occasion in every school through various engaging activities.

Rojalin Sahoo
PRO, S&ME