Odisha schools to introduce ‘Jadupedi’ kits in early education

The Odisha government is set to enhance early education in schools by incorporating ‘Jadupedi’ (a magical box) kits, designed to make learning more engaging for the children. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi witnessed a demonstration of the kits on Tuesday.

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Developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), these kits will be distributed to 45,000 schools across the State, targeting pupils in the kindergarten (basically preschoolers), the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) sources stated.

‘Jadupedi’ to assist children's educational growth

The State government has invested Rs 90 crore in this ambitious initiative, aiming to create a captivating learning environment for young students. During the demonstration at Lok Seva Bhavan, Odisha CM observed the ‘Jadupedi’ kits in use, stating his belief that such an approach would attract children to reading and assist in their educational growth.

‘Jadupedi’ kits incorporate the elements of play and entertainment, aligning with modern educational strategies to stimulate learning and aid knowledge retention.

The CM reviewed the kits and discussed their educational impact with the senior officials present. He also appreciated the teaching materials for their potential to captivate young minds through playful learning methods. “These kits will greatly engage young students,” he said, highlighting their role in combining education with entertainment.

School and Mass Education (S&ME) Commissioner-cum-Secretary Shalini Pandit provided a detailed explanation of the kits’ components to the Chief Minister. Pleased with what he saw, CM Mohan Majhi remarked, “These materials will encourage students to learn practical skills relevant to their surroundings.” The launch is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates experiential learning approaches for young learners.

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These teaching materials will be provided to pupils in Sishu Vatika, Class I, and Class II in Odisha. Around Rs 20,000 has been spent on each kit, the CMO sources informed.