BHUBANESWAR: Underlining the need to strengthen primary education, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday said steps are being taken in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to achieve the goal of a prosperous Odisha by 2036.
While reviewing the programmes of the School & Mass Education Department at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister announced several major decisions and directives.
As per the CM’s decision, schematic (contractual) primary teachers will be regularised. Majhi highlighted that quality education is crucial for the state’s future, and directed officials to focus on improving learning outcomes at the primary level.
At present, Odisha has 45,292 primary schools with 1,60,319 sanctioned posts of teachers. Under the NEP framework, an additional 39,366 new teacher posts will be created. Moreover, by December 2025, around 5,067 posts are likely to fall vacant.
Over 44,433 teaching posts will be filled over the next three years, including 40,000 new posts to be created. The Chief Minister issued instruction for recruitment to be done in phases, with nearly 15,000 teacher positions filled each year.
The Chief Minister also announced that free textbooks will be provided to all students up to Class X, and there will be a single board for primary education in Odisha.
Majhi emphasised that these reforms would make the state’s primary education system stronger, more inclusive, and better aligned with national standards.