Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a new initiative to appoint 'sevikas' to support children in 'sishu vatikas' throughout the state, aimed at enhancing pre-primary education and alleviating the workload of teachers.

This decision was confirmed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, according to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office.

'Sishu vatikas', which were introduced this academic year under the National Education Policy (NEP), are currently operational in more than 45,000 government primary schools across Odisha.

These centers cater to children aged 5 to 6 years, providing essential pre-primary education.

The statement highlighted that 'sevikas' will assist in classrooms and attend to children's basic needs, thereby reducing the pressure on teachers and enhancing the quality of early education.

The remuneration for 'sevikas' will align with that of cooks working under the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme.

A recent study conducted by the government revealed that teachers were overwhelmed with managing classroom discipline and childcare in 'sishu vatikas', which negatively affected the teaching process.

The Chief Minister expressed optimism that this initiative would significantly improve the educational experience for young children.

'Managing and caring for young children in classrooms is a significant responsibility. If this task falls solely on teachers, it could disrupt the education system,' the statement emphasized.