Odisha Unveils New Education Initiative and Campaign Against Child Marriage

Bhubaneswar, the Odisha government has recently inaugurated an education scheme tailored for children, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020. Additionally, a 100-day campaign against child marriage was launched under the Women and Child Development department.

The initiatives were unveiled by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who emphasized the importance of women's empowerment in the development of Odisha. The state aims to create a safe, equal, and respectful environment for both women and children.

The 'Ame Padhiba Ama Bhasare' scheme will run for five years, providing early education in native languages for children aged three to six years. Initially, the program will be rolled out in Keonjhar, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, and Malkangiri districts, focusing on tribal languages such as Munda, Kui, Saura, Kuvi, Gondi, and Koya.

Training will be provided to Anganwadi workers, equipping them with language-specific educational materials. Parida encouraged efforts to promote this scheme similar to the successful 'Subhadra Yojana', a financial assistance program launched in 2024.

Alongside the education scheme, a campaign against child marriage has been initiated to raise awareness and foster community participation. This campaign will commence in Mayurbhanj and Malkangiri districts, with district collectors overseeing its execution.

Records indicate that Odisha faced 8,159 child marriage cases from 2019 to February 2025, with the Nabarangpur district reporting the highest numbers. The state aspires to eliminate child marriage by 2030, with approximately 11,000 villages already rejecting the practice. Ganjam district has been recognized as child marriage-free since 2022.

In support of adolescent mothers and to prevent teenage pregnancies, a pilot program has been initiated in Mayurbhanj district in collaboration with UNICEF. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive support encompassing health, nutrition, education, social protection, and skill development.

During the launch event, Parida also inaugurated new facilities for the State Institute of Women and Children at Barpali, focusing on enhancing training and capacity building. Additionally, residential quarters for Integrated Child Development Services field officers were opened in Boudh and Kandhamal districts.