Education in Odisha

Education in Odisha – An Introduction

Ratnagiri or Puphagiri is the oldest Buddhist monastery and primary seat of higher learning in ancient India from 3rd century AD, to 11th century located in Odisha. It is mainly known for its rich heritage and ancient culture. Odisha is very rich in natural resources and minerals, due to which it is today a sought after destination of industrial houses both domestic and foreign. Art in various forms thrive in the state. As per 2011 census the population of Odisha was 41.97 million, of which the male population was 21.21 million and female population was 20.76 million. The literacy rate of Odisha was 72.87%, of which the male literacy is 81.59% and female literacy is 62.46%. The sex ratio of Odisha was 979 females per 1000 males, which is much above the national average of 940.

School Education in Odisha

Keeping in view the need for Universalisation of Elementary Education, there has been expansion at Primary and Upper Primary School stage of education, in the Government sector, especially in rural areas as well as backward areas. In Orissa there are 35,928 Primary and 20,427 Upper Primary schools to provide education at elementary level. More 491 New Primary and 490 New Upper Primary schools opened under SSA to provide schooling in remote areas. There is 6,193 Govt. and aided Secondary Schools, 849 Recognized High Schools and 151 permitted High Schools in the State. Computer Literacy is being popularized in High Schools. Board of Secondary Education has included computer learning as an optional subject in the curriculum for Secondary schools. Rastriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan is a national flagship programme initiated in 2009-10 to universalise Secondary Education by making good quality education available, accessible and affordable to all children within the age group of 14 – 18 years with strong focus on the elements of gender, equity & justice. The schools offering primary and secondary education are affiliated to Odisha Board of Secondary Education , Central Board of Secondary Education or Indian School Certificate Examination (ICSE). Some of the schools in Odisha use Oriya as their medium of instruction. However, most of the ICSE and CBSE schools in the state use English for imparting education.

Higher Education in Odisha

Odisha has become a hub for higher education and numerous nationally acclaimed institutions have campuses in the state. A forum of intellectuals of the state has envisaged a globally competitive higher education system in Odisha by 2020. There has been a spurt of institutions of higher education in the state of late. The Department of Higher Education of the State Looks after education at University, Post-Graduate, Graduate and Higher Secondary level. It also provides Vocational Education in order to prepare the Youth for self-employment. The Department also promotes professional courses in Government and Private Sector. There are 18 universities, 13 national institutes, 705 degree college, 27 engineering colleges, 32 law colleges, 2 architecture colleges, 4 medical colleges, 33 pharmacy colleges, 64 technical colleges and 8 biotech colleges in Odisha, besides a host of other institutions. As the future of industrial scenario of Odisha is very promising aspirants will have ample scope for employment and industrial interface.

Education in Odisha – Future

The educational prospects of Odisha are really very promising and by the turn of this decade it would turn out to be the perfect educational destination for the aspiring student.