Bhubaneswar: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has expressed serious concern over the numerous errors found in newly revised textbooks for Classes I to VIII in Odisha, terming the issue a grave setback to Odia identity and the state’s education system. The student organisation has demanded stringent action against those responsible and called for the immediate publication and distribution of corrected textbooks.
Addressing a press conference, ABVP Odisha (Purv) State Secretary Deeptimayee Pratihari said the textbooks were prepared under the new curriculum developed in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and are scheduled to be implemented from the 2026–27 academic session. However, a large number of factual, linguistic and printing errors have reportedly been detected in the books, raising serious concerns about the quality control process.
Pratihari noted that the textbooks were developed under the supervision of the Directorate of Teacher Education and the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), with contributions from experienced teachers and education experts. Despite this, the presence of numerous mistakes has raised questions about the functioning and accountability of the officials and experts involved in the process.
ABVP alleged that the textbooks were printed and distributed on a large scale without adequate review and correction of errors. The organisation warned that such negligence could adversely affect students’ learning and academic development. It urged the state government and the School and Mass Education Department to take immediate steps to rectify all errors and ensure that revised, error-free textbooks are distributed to students during the current academic session itself.
The student body further asserted that any compromise on educational quality and students’ interests would be unacceptable and demanded effective mechanisms to prevent such lapses in the future. ABVP National Executive Member Biswajit Patra, State Joint Secretary Rajkumar and Mahanagar Secretary Gangadhar Padhi were also present at the press conference.
Government Announces High-Level Inquiry Panel
Meanwhile, the Odisha Government has announced the members of a high-level committee constituted to investigate the widespread printing and content-related errors found in textbooks for Classes I to VIII. Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh has been appointed Chairman of the three-member panel. The other members are Vijay Ketan Upadhyay, Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, and Smita Pani, Deputy Secretary of the General Administration Department.
The committee has been formed on the directions of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi following widespread concern over the errors and printing defects reported in textbooks distributed across the state. According to official sources, the panel has been tasked with conducting a detailed inquiry to identify at which stage the mistakes occurred and determine the responsibility of officials, agencies or institutions involved in the textbook preparation and publication process.
The committee has been directed to submit its findings and recommendations to the government within seven days. Earlier, during a review meeting, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed strong displeasure over the irregularities, stating that the errors were adversely affecting students’ education and causing unnecessary difficulties. He instructed officials to take immediate corrective measures and ensure strict action against those found responsible. The state government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding students’ interests and providing error-free educational material in the future.
