Colleges Across Odisha Asked To Start ‘Juba Sanskaar’ Classes From Jan 1

Realising the importance of good-character building education, the Odisha government has decided to introduce ‘Juba Sanskaar’ programme in colleges across the State from the first day of the New Year. 

Principal Secretary, Education Department, Saswat Mishra on Thursday wrote to the principals of all government and government aided degree colleges under the Higher Education Department, asking them to start this non-academic programme in their respective institutions. 

In his letter, Mishra mentioned that character building should be the primary objective of any education system. 

“Under this ‘Juba Sanskaar’ programme, Juba Sanskaar classes (one period of standard duration) shall be held class-wise or section-wise covering all students of all UG and PG semesters-mandatorily at least once in a month,” Mishra said in the letter.  

He also informed that freely available good short audio visual films (AV films) on character building themes like staying away from drugs/tobacco, imbibing patriotism and developing a sense of respect to women and seniors would be shown to the students. 
“It is expected that when students are frequently exposed to such good character building AV films, there will definitely be a positive change in them,” the letter read. 

In the letter, the principals have been directed to start conducting Juba Sanskaar classes from January 1, 2022. 

Notably, in order to achieve the objective of character building, a new mandatory academic course titled ‘Ethics and Values’ has been introduced in UG level from 2021-22 academic year, carrying six credits with one credit per each of the six semesters.