Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on Wednesday launched Godabarish Mishra Adarsha Prathmik Vidyalaya (GMAPV) scheme at Banpur in Khurda district, by laying the foundation stones for 118 schools across Odisha under the initiative.
This signalled the rollout of the first phase of this flagship programme, named after the renowned Odia educationist, poet, and freedom fighter Pandit Godabarish Mishra of Banpur, who inspired the historic Satyabadi Vana Vidyalaya. The scheme seeks to create “ideal” or “adarsha” schools that prioritise quality education at the grassroots level.
Speaking at the launch, CM Majhi emphasised that the scheme aims to bolster foundational education by enhancing school infrastructure, recruiting qualified teachers, and modernising learning facilities. “This initiative will revolutionise rural education, providing high-quality facilities that can rival private institutions while focusing on holistic development and alignment with the National Education Policy 2020,” he said.
The state government has allocated approximately Rs 12,000 crore in the initial phase to upgrade and develop around 2,200 primary schools, with over 100 students, classes from pre-primary (Shishu Vatika) to Class 8, and more than two acres of land, in the coming years (2025-26 to 2028-29). The government plans to spend Rs 7 crore on each school, which will function as feeder schools for high schools across the state.
The CM further stated that Rs 3,000 crore has been sanctioned for its implementation in this year’s budget.
Under this scheme, training, professional development, mentorship, and career counselling are being provided to enhance the skills and experience of teachers. “Other states are also expressing interest in adopting it as a model,” he added.
In November last year, the CM unveiled the scheme’s logo.
School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond, in his address, said that the scheme will bridge the gaps observed in the rural education system in the state.
Puri MP Sambit Patra, who was present on the occasion, said that in the coming days, the Prime Minister’s PM SHRI scheme and the Chief Minister’s Godavarish Mishra Model Primary School Scheme will bring remarkable changes to the state’s education system.
Works, Law, and Excise Minister Prithviraj Harichandan, Khurda MLA Prashant Jagdev, Jatni MLA Bibhuti Balabantray, Begunia MLA Pradeep Sahu, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh and former MLA Dr. Bibhuti Bhushan Harichandan, were present, among others.
