Odisha CM Presents ‘Mukhyamantri Sikhya Puraskar’ For Excellence In Education

Bhubaneswar: In an innovative effort to turn education into a social movement under the 5T initiative, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday awarded ‘Mukhyamantri Sikhya Puraskar’ to districts, blocks, students, teachers, alumni committees, gram panchayats, district and block education officers.

The awards are given in individual and institutional categories.

According to a CMO release, 7,519 awards were given along with cumulative prize money of Rs 138 crore in 16 categories.

A total of 2,027 students were awarded for their performances in the Class X board examination. Balasore, Keonjhar, Jagatsinghpur and Jharsuguda were also awarded the best districts.

Apart from students, 700 teacher trainees, 419 head teachers, 58 regional coordinators, and 3 district education officers were awarded in individual (secondary) category. Similarly, 350 head teachers and 319 teacher apprentices were awarded in the individual (primary) category.

In the institutional category 10 blocks, 1,057 schools, 419 school management committees and 414 gram panchayats were awarded.

Speaking on the occasion, 5T chairman V K Pandian said that the CM started online studies during COVID-19 pandemic. Transformation of schools were also taken up and till now, 8,000 schools have been transformed.

He added that the high school transformation saw alumni, elected representatives, and administration work as a team for the success of the programme.

Pandian further said that the education awards were given to boost the confidence of students.

State Education Minister Sudam Marndi; Minister of Scheduled Tribes, Castes, Minorities, and Backward Classes Jagannath Saraka; and  Minister of Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Forest & Environment, Information & Public Relations Pradeep Kumar Amat were present.