Bhubaneswar, 18 June (H.S.): The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has expressed serious concern over the numerous errors detected in newly introduced school textbooks for Classes I to VIII in Odisha, describing the issue as a setback to both the state's educational system and Odia identity. The student organisation has demanded stringent action against those responsible and called for the immediate publication and distribution of error-free textbooks.

Addressing a press conference, ABVP State Secretary Ms. Diptimayee Pratihari said the revised textbooks were prepared in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and are slated for implementation from the 2026–27 academic session. However, she alleged that the books contain a large number of factual, linguistic and printing errors, raising serious concerns about the quality of the content.

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 review and quality-control mechanisms adopted during the preparation process.

The organisation alleged that the textbooks were printed and distributed on a large scale without adequate scrutiny and correction of the identified errors. According to ABVP, such lapses could adversely affect students' learning outcomes and academic development.

The student body urged the State Government and the School and Mass Education Department to take immediate steps to rectify all errors in the textbooks. It also demanded that revised and error-free editions be reprinted and distributed to students at the earliest.

ABVP further stressed that any compromise on educational standards and students' interests would be unacceptable. The organisation called for accountability to be fixed on those responsible and sought the establishment of a robust mechanism to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Among those present at the press conference were ABVP National Executive Member Bishwajit Patra, State Joint Secretary Rajkumar, and other organisational leaders

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda