Odisha CM Mohan Majhi flags dropout rate, quality education as key challenges

On the occasion of the state-level Teachers’ Day celebration on Friday, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi identified two major challenges in the education sector: reducing the dropout rate and ensuring quality education.

The Chief Minister noted that nearly 24% of tribal children drop out of school midway. To address this, the government has introduced the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme, under which more than three lakh students have benefited, significantly reducing dropout rates.

CM Majhi further emphasized that providing quality education at the primary level remains another big challenge. Criticizing the previous government, he said that there had been a shortage of teachers and an inadequate focus on strengthening the educational infrastructure.

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However, CM Majhi pointed out that the situation has changed today with the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Although it was supposed to be implemented five years ago, it has finally come into effect in 2025, the CM added.

"As per reports, there is more than 24 per cent dropout rate among the Scheduled Tribe children. After getting the report, emphasis has been given to them. In a bid to reduce the dropout rate, we implemented the Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme. More than three lakh students benefited under the scheme, significantly reducing dropout rates. The second challenge is ensuring quality education. We have somehow failed in providing quality education in the past due to a shortage of teachers," said CM Majhi.