‘Shishu Vatika’ in primary schools of Odisha from April 2

Bhubaneswar (Ajoy Mishra): Odisha is set to take a significant step toward improving early childhood education as the state prepares to launch the ‘Shishu Vatika’ programme in primary schools from April 2. This new initiative, part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aims to enhance the learning experiences of young children, laying a strong foundation for their educational journey. The announcement was made by Odisha’s School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). He highlighted that the ‘Shishu Vatika’ will be implemented in all primary schools across the state and will be accompanied by the traditional ‘Khadi Chhuan’ festival, marking the official commencement of the program. “As per the new Education Policy 2020, ‘Shishu Vatika’ is going to be started in all primary schools of the state. From next April 2, ‘Khadi Chhuan’ festival will be organized in all primary schools,” Gond wrote in his post. The ‘Shishu Vatika’ programme is specifically designed for children aged five and above, providing a nurturing environment that encourages learning and growth. This initiative will focus on pre-school education, ensuring that children are prepared for formal schooling in the years to come. The ‘Khadi Chhuan’ festival, which features a ceremonial chalk initiation, will add a cultural touch to the launch, symbolizing the beginning of a child’s educational journey. In a letter issued to all district Collectors, the State government emphasized the significance of this initiative. “As per the mandate of the National Education Policy-2020, all the primary schools of the State will open an additional class called ‘Shishu Vatika’ where children in the age group of 5-6 years will be admitted for pre-school education,” read the letter. Looking ahead, the state government plans to implement further changes in primary education. Starting from the academic year 2025-26, the minimum age for admission to Class I will be set at 6+ years, effective from September 1 of that academic year. This step aligns with NEP 2020’s vision of fostering more holistic and age-appropriate learning for children.