The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is escalating its call for the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond due to errors in recently released textbooks for classes I to VIII. Members of Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD) held a peaceful protest in Bhubaneswar urging the minister’s resignation and a CBI investigation into the textbook mistakes.
Expressing grave concerns, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik emphasized the critical role of school textbooks as the primary source of truth for children. He highlighted the profound impact of compromised trust in textbooks on the education and future of students, criticizing the Odisha BJP government’s handling of the situation.
Patnaik raised questions about restoring the shattered trust of Odia children and the long-term consequences of the errors on their education and faith. He criticized the government for jeopardizing the future of the next generation through the publication of error-filled textbooks and subsequent indecision on their withdrawal.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi took action by suspending four senior officials and initiating disciplinary proceedings against six others following the identification of 1,678 errors in the textbooks. The controversy surrounding the textbooks has drawn condemnation from opposition parties and educators for the significant number of errors found in the newly published educational materials.
Biju Janata Dal, Nityananda Gond, Biju Yuva Janata Dal, Biju Chhatra Janata Dal, Naveen Patnaik, Odisha BJP government, Mohan Charan Majhi, Manoj Padhi, SCERT
