In a major push for the National Education Policy, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and State Minister Nityanand Gond announced that new textbooks for Classes 1 to 8 will debut in the 2026-27 academic year. Based on the Odisha State Curriculum Framework (OSCF), the shift prioritizes mother-tongue instruction up to Class 5 to strengthen foundational learning.
Key reforms include a 10-day bag-free period for students in Classes 6 to 10, designed to foster practical skills and critical thinking. To ensure a smooth transition, approximately 1.67 lakh teachers will undergo extensive technology-driven training.
The ministers also emphasized the "Skilled Odisha" target to enhance primary-level literacy and numeracy, alongside a holistic focus on student nutrition from birth through Class 12. This collaborative effort between the Centre and State aims to modernize the classroom experience while grounding it in local cultural roots.