In a visionary initiative spearheaded by Shri VK Pandian, Chairman of Odisha’s 5T and former IAS officer, and Aswathi S, the State’s School and Mass Education Commissioner cum Secretary, Odisha is on the cusp of an educational renaissance. The 5T (Transparency, Technology, Teamwork, Time, Transformation) initiative, launched in 2021, is orchestrating a remarkable transformation in 8,679 government-run high schools across the state.
The program, slated for completion by the end of the ongoing academic year (2023-24), aims to revolutionize the educational landscape. VK Pandian, now an integral part of the ruling Biju Janata Dal, exudes enthusiasm as he shares the ambitious plan. The vision includes providing internet connections, transforming classrooms into smart spaces, establishing libraries and labs, and enhancing overall infrastructure.
Pandian articulates, “All the classes will be smart classrooms,” outlining a holistic approach to elevate the quality of education. Looking ahead, the state plans to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) as an educational tool, fostering a deeper understanding of complex subjects. Collaborating with UC Berkeley as a technology partner, Pandian envisions a transformative shift in teaching methodologies, addressing the diverse learning needs of students.
In the heart of this educational metamorphosis is Puri Zila School, one of Odisha’s oldest government-run schools, chosen among the first batch of 1,075 schools for transformation. The school, steeped in a rich history that includes notable alumni like freedom fighter Gopabandhu Das and poet Kalindi Charan Panigrahi, now showcases a modern facade. Fresh coats of pistachio green paint, trendy floor tiles, and state-of-the-art facilities redefine conventional notions of a government school.
Jyotirmayee Mishra, the school’s principal, attests to the positive impact of the transformation. “Our goal is to ensure that our students graduate from this school mastering something, be it academic or extra-curricular,” she asserts. Mishra’s commitment to the transformed school is evident as she personally enrolls her son in Puri Zila School, withdrawing him from a private institution.
The success stories extend to Kushabhadra High School in Khorda district, part of the transformative program’s second phase. While challenges persist, such as unstable electricity connections, VK Pandian remains resolute in the commitment to address infrastructure gaps in subsequent phases. The program is set to reach primary schools in the next phase, emphasizing the importance of encouraging children to attend school from the early years.
VK Pandian, confident in Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s continued leadership, foresees an expanded program covering primary and elementary schools in the upcoming term. As the program unfolds, VK Pandian emerges as a catalyst for positive change, steering Odisha’s educational institutions towards a brighter, technology-infused future.