Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched Mukhyamantri Sikshya Puraskar Yojana for schools transformed under the 5T initiative and other schools.
Patnaik announced annual awards to the tune of Rs 100 crore per year for school students, educational institutions and principals, teachers, sarpanches, school management committee for achieving excellence in education and alumni for their contribution under the programme.
The awards will be given to 50,000 students, 1,500 principals, school management committees, sarpanches and alumni.
The Chief Minister announced the awards while participating in the closing ceremony of the state-level Children’s Day celebrations at the Government High School in Unit IX here today.
On this occasion, Patnaik launched Digi Locker for the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) and Board of Secondary Education (BSE).
Certificates, mark sheets and other documents of students can be kept safe in this virtual locker and will also be available with ease. There will be no possibility of theft or loss.
Addressing the students, the Chief Minister gave three important suggestions. The first is the call of the hour.
He said that time is important for students. Stating that by doing the right thing at the right moment, children can stay ahead, the Chief Minister said that now is the time for children to acquire knowledge. He advised children for creating identities for themselves by excelling in all fields, including sports, dance and music.
Secondly, stating that “Change is inevitable”, the Chief Minister said, one has to move forward with time and accept change.
While advising them to prepare for the challenges of the time, he said the main objective of the 5T transformation is to prepare children to face the challenges of time. He advised children to develop a scientific temper.
Thirdly, explaining children of their responsibilities, he told them to never forget their responsibility and respect for those who have contributed to their lives, such as teachers, family, village and school.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister presented awards to the students who have excelled in various fields and unveiled a coffee table book, magazine and ‘Mo School’ newsletter.
Speaking on this occasion, Science and Technology Minister Ashok Panda and School & Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash praised the strong leadership and vision of the Chief Minister in the field of education.
They said that the transformation of schools, the ‘Mo School’ programme etc. will bring a revolutionary change in the education sector of the state.
Bhubaneswar-Central MLA Anant Narayan Jena and Bhubaneswar-North MLA Susant Rout also spoke on the occasion.
While Commissioner-cum-Secretary School & Mass Education Department Aswathy S gave the welcome address, OSEPA Project Director offered a vote of thanks at the programme.
