Angul, Dec 24: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday visited Angul district, where he inaugurated multiple infrastructure and academic facilities at the PM Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Champatimunda.

The Union minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome by Scout, NCC and band contingents of the school, who greeted him with a parade. During the visit, Pradhan inaugurated the newly constructed multi-purpose auditorium and Swami Vivekananda Park on the school campus and unveiled a statue of Swami Vivekananda.

He also toured the Vivekananda Park and interacted with students on the scientific learning tools installed there. The minister visited the Atal Tinkering Lab, where he reviewed student innovations and discussed their projects. He also went around the science exhibition and observed students’ models and clay artworks.

At the newly inaugurated auditorium, Pradhan inspected the digital library and a digital soil testing mini-lab, interacting with students and teachers about their usage and scope.

Addressing the gathering, the Union minister said the foundation stone of the multi-purpose auditorium had been laid two years ago on December 24, 2023, and had now been completed at a cost of Rs 7 crore. He said some ancillary works remained pending and added that the District Collector would take responsibility for completing them using district funds.

Pradhan said Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas play a critical role in transforming rural talent into national assets and called for further strengthening of the Angul school’s infrastructure, including hostels, playgrounds, cultural spaces and art education. He urged authorities to raise the institution’s academic and infrastructural standards “threefold”.

Emphasising merit-based admissions, the minister said students gain entry into Navodaya Vidyalayas purely through competitive examinations and intellectual ability, with no scope for favouritism. He added that the responsibility of Angul’s future development rests with today’s students and called upon Navodaya Vidyalaya to take the lead.

Pradhan also announced that a Kendriya Vidyalaya will be established at Athmallik next year. He said discussions had been held with DAV management to open another DAV school in Angul.

He further said the state government should plan to upgrade existing schools up to Class-XII in a phased manner. Directing the district administration, the minister asked the Collector to organise district-level student competitions by February next year, ensuring participation from schools across categories.

Stressing the importance of innovation-driven learning, Pradhan said Atal Tinkering Labs must be further developed to connect students with scientific thinking and 21st-century skills. He noted that Angul district does not lack financial resources but requires proper planning.

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Referring to education reforms, Pradhan criticised the colonial-era education framework and said the National Education Policy 2020 mandates teaching in the mother tongue up to Class-V, which he said is essential for deeper understanding and nation-building. He added that a developed Angul is key to a developed Odisha.