Odisha seeks public suggestions on revised textbooks for classes 1-4
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has sought public feedback within seven days on the revised textbooks for classes 1-4. This step was taken after the corrected digital copies of the books were uploaded on the official website.
This step was taken after a large number of factual, typographical, and printing errors were found in the textbooks prepared by SCERT for classes 1 to 8 introduced for the 2026-27 academic session. Around 1,678 errors were found in the textbooks. The government sought feedback from the public, teachers, students, and parents through its official Twitter handle, EducationOdisha.
The SME Department stated in a post on Thursday, “The revised drafts for the primary class have been made available on the websites of the SME Department, Odisha School Education Program Authority (OSEPA), and the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). Stakeholders are requested to send their views and suggestions via email to textbookcertodisha@gmail.com or to the Vidya Samiksha (Bidya Samiksha) Center helpline number 18003456722.” Earlier, N. Thirumala Naik, Secretary of the School and Mass Education (SME) Department, had announced on Wednesday that revised textbooks with necessary corrections would be uploaded for feedback.
He said, “After considering all suggestions and feedback received, the textbooks will be finalized and published.”
Naik also stated that printed revised textbooks with correct information will be shared with teachers to ensure uninterrupted teaching and learning.
The issue of error-ridden textbooks sparked a statewide agitation. The opposition BJP and Congress took to the streets, demanding the immediate resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityanand Gond and a CBI investigation into the irregularities in the printing, publication, and circulation of textbooks for students in classes 1 to 8.
Following the report of a high-level inquiry committee headed by Development Commissioner DK Singh, the state government has already suspended four senior officials and initiated disciplinary action against six others.
The government has also stated that new error-free textbooks will soon be distributed to students.
