Bhubaneswar, Jan 31: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday released Class XI science reference books prepared in the Odia language for students of higher secondary schools in Odisha. The books were unveiled at Lok Seva Bhavan and have been developed by the School and Mass Education Department.
The newly released reference books cover four core science subjects—Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. They are designed to help Class XI science students better understand complex concepts by studying them in their mother tongue.
As such reference materials were previously unavailable in Odia, the state government has decided to supply 10 to 20 copies of each book to every higher secondary school. These books will be kept in school libraries to ensure easy access for students. In addition, the Institute of Odia Studies & Research (IOSR) will take steps to make the books available at bookstores in all district headquarters.
According to officials, the initiative is expected to benefit nearly 1.2 lakh students studying in around 700 higher secondary schools across the state. The government has also announced plans to prepare similar science reference books in Odia for Class XII students in the next phase.
The move is being seen as a major step towards making quality reference material available in Odia from primary education to higher and technical education, thereby strengthening mother-tongue-based learning in the state.
Several senior leaders and officials were present at the book release event, including Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and ministers from key departments such as School and Mass Education, Higher Education, Revenue and Disaster Management, Industries, Housing and Urban Development, and Forest and Environment. Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Development Commissioner D.K. Singh, the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Shashwat Mishra, and School and Mass Education Commissioner-cum-Secretary N. Thirumala Nayak also attended the event.
The initiative marks a significant milestone in promoting Odia as a medium of instruction and reference for science education in Odisha.
