The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress have criticized the Odisha State government for significant errors in newly published Odia textbooks for Classes I to VIII. The BJD spokesperson called the errors a “national embarrassment” and criticized the BJP government for failing Odisha’s education system. The textbooks, prepared by SCERT Odisha under Odisha Curriculum 2025, contain around 1,678 identified errors, with the highest number in Class VIII textbooks alone.
The errors in the textbooks go beyond typographical mistakes and include serious spelling errors, factual inaccuracies, and geographical distortions. Examples cited include presenting a photo of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly as that of the Odisha Legislative Assembly and misidentifying locations like the Niyamgiri Hills. The opposition parties allege that these mistakes mislead students about history, geography, culture, and identity.
The BJD has demanded the immediate withdrawal of all flawed textbooks, a thorough inquiry into the negligence in their preparation, and accountability from officials and ministers involved. The Congress party also criticized the government, calling the errors a mockery of the state’s education system and an insult to Odisha’s heritage. Both parties have demanded corrective actions and accountability from the authorities responsible for the errors.
