State PCS - Assam (APSC)

• 16 Jan 2026

Odisha Launches ‘Aame Padhiba Aama Bhasare’ Scheme for Early Childhood

Why in News? 

The Odisha government has launched a scheme called ‘Aame Padhiba Aama Bhasare’, aimed at providing early childhood education in mother tongue. 

Key Points 

• Scheme: ‘Aame Padhiba Aama Bhasare’ (meaning “We will study in our own language”) is a five-year educational initiative to impart early childhood education in children’s mother tongue. 
• Launch: The scheme was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who also serves as the Women and Child Development Minister. 
  • Emphasising women’s empowerment and child welfare as a priority.  
  • Target Group: It will benefit children aged 3–6 years. 
• Pilot Implementation: In the first phase, the programme will be rolled out in Keonjhar, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Rayagada, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts using tribal languages such as Munda, Kui, Saura, Kuvi, Gondi and Koya. 
• Anganwadi Capacity Building: Anganwadi workers will receive language-specific training, educational materials and audio-visual content. 
• Child Marriage Prevention: The government has also launched a 100-day campaign to prevent child marriage. 
  • The campaign will be driven by youth leadership, ASHA and Anganwadi workers. 
  • Focusing on awareness, safety and community participation through rallies, conferences and early warning systems. 
• NEP Alignment: The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, emphasising mother tongue-based learning in early years to strengthen learning outcomes and preserve linguistic identity.

• Constitutional Provisions:  
  • Article 350A: Directs the State to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups. 

Read More:  National Education Policy 2020, ASHA