Bhubaneswar, Jan 7: In a major push to strengthen grassroots education, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for 118 Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Primary Schools at an event held at Banapur in Khordha district, officials said.

The initiative, inspired by the ideals of eminent social reformer and educationist Pandit Godabarish Mishra, is designed to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to transform the rural education landscape of the state.

The schools, to be established at the Gram Panchayat level, will serve as model institutions to ensure quality learning and skill development for children in rural Odisha. Officials said the project seeks to bridge the gap between urban and rural education by introducing modern infrastructure, digital learning tools, and activity-based pedagogy.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of equitable access to education. “Pandit Godabarish Mishra envisioned a society where knowledge empowers every child. This initiative is a step towards realizing that vision while implementing the NEP 2020 framework,” he said.

The Adarsha Primary Schools will focus on holistic development, integrating academics with vocational skills, arts, and sports. The government has also planned to train teachers in innovative teaching methods to foster creativity and critical thinking among students.

Education experts have welcomed the move, noting that such grassroots interventions are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in education. The project is expected to benefit thousands of children across rural Odisha, laying a strong foundation for their future.

By embedding Mishra’s reformist ideals into the state’s educational framework, the government hopes to create a generation of learners who are not only academically proficient but also socially conscious and skilled for the challenges of the 21st century.