Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated 37 PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalayas and 26 PM SHRI Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas. The launch event, attended by dignitaries, officials, academicians, and students, highlighted the commitment to advancing the education sector in line with the National Education Policy 2020.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan affirmed that these schools would operate with the spirit of the National Education Policy, providing comprehensive and inclusive education. He disclosed plans to develop over 800 government schools into PM Shri Schools in Odisha, with an anticipated investment exceeding Rs. 1600 crore. Pradhan urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to sign an MoU to implement the PM Shri Yojana, envisioning the development of two schools in every block and urban area into PM Shri Schools.
With a vision for a developed India by 2047, Pradhan stressed the necessity of advancing the country’s education sector. He underscored the importance of preparing rural children for the future, aligning with the demands of the 21st century.
Earlier in the day, Pradhan inaugurated facilities at the Oriental Language Centre of the Indian Language Institute in Bhubaneswar. Highlighting the significance of development projects, he emphasized their role in expanding training facilities for languages such as Odia, Shantali, Bengali, and Maithili.
Acknowledging the unique identity of the Odia language, Pradhan celebrated its diversity, noting the distinct flavors in Sambalpur, Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, and Dhenkanal. He highlighted the linguistic diversity among Odisha’s tribes.
In preparation for Bharatiya Bhasha Diwas on December 11, commemorating the birth anniversary of freedom fighter and Tamil poet Mahakabi Chinnaswamy Subramania Bharati, Pradhan announced plans for a lecture and essay competition on Odia language in all schools and colleges, aiming to inspire the new generation.
Expressing gratitude to PM Modi for implementing the National Education Policy 2020, Pradhan commended the policy’s emphasis on teaching subjects in the mother tongue. He emphasized that this approach enhances children’s ability to research, reason, and analyze, fostering well-rounded individuals equipped with essential 21st-century skills.
The newly launched PM SHRI schools are poised to exemplify the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, becoming beacons of educational excellence and shaping a brighter future for students.