Bhubaneswar, Odisha : Odisha today witnessed a grand celebration of State-Level Teachers’ Day alongside the Chief Minister Education Awards, highlighting the state’s commitment to quality education and holistic student development. The event recognized excellence in teaching and showcased Odisha’s innovative educational initiatives.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi addressed the teachers and educationists, urging them to mentor students and help them realize their dreams. “Identify the hidden talents in children, give them the freedom to dream, and guide them as mentors. Teachers shape the future of our society,” he said.
The event, held at Lokseva Bhavan Convention Center, also paid tribute to the legendary educationist and former President, Bharatratna Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who remains an enduring inspiration for both teachers and students. The Chief Minister emphasized that Dr. Radhakrishnan is a model for every teacher in the nation.
Minister of School and Mass Education, Nityanand Gond, was present and spoke on the importance of the teacher-student tradition in India. “The guru-shishya parampara has existed since ancient times. Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping students’ character, discipline, and societal values. Our government remains committed to providing the best educational framework, nurturing life skills, AI literacy, and entrepreneurial education to make students self-reliant and capable in the future,” he said.
The awards recognized excellence across districts, with Jharsuguda district winning the first prize of ₹3 crore, Khordha district securing the second prize of ₹2 crore, and Jagatsinghpur district taking third prize of ₹1 crore. In total, 70 teachers were honored alongside three district education officers and ten block education officers. Additionally, two tribal students who excelled in the NEET examination were felicitated by the Chief Minister.
During the ceremony, the Odisha Curriculum Framework for School Education 2025 and the ‘Padhiba, Gadhiba Odisha’ initiative were launched. These programs aim to provide students with creative, self-reliant learning opportunities while enhancing language, literacy, and cognitive skills through interactive teaching methods.
The Chief Minister highlighted two major challenges in the state’s education system: reducing dropout rates and providing quality education for all. Mid-day meal programs, now extended to Class 10, and nutritional support for tribal children were cited as successful interventions.
The event also witnessed addresses from Shalini Pandit, Secretary of School & Mass Education, and Ananya Das, Director of the OSEPA project, emphasizing infrastructure, quality teaching, and holistic student development.
With these initiatives, Odisha aims to cultivate a skilled, self-reliant, and creative generation, laying the foundation for a prosperous 2036 Odisha.
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