Bhubaneswar: The Higher Education Department of Odisha has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to introduce multiple courses in the Odia language. As part of this initiative, the Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education (DECE) course has now been translated into Odia and officially launched today.

The course material and textbooks in Odia were released by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj. Previously, the DECE programme was available only in English, Hindi, and Tamil. With this addition, students and educators can now access the course in their mother tongue, making it more inclusive and accessible.

The DECE is a one-year diploma programme open to students who have completed Class 12. It focuses on early childhood education, child health, and nutrition. The curriculum combines theory and practical components, offering students not only academic knowledge but also hands-on experience. Learners will also receive audio and video learning materials to support their studies.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida described the initiative as a significant step toward empowering Anganwadi workers, pre-school educators, and trainers. “Introducing DECE in Odia will make learning easier for those working at the grassroots level, particularly in Anganwadis and early education centres,” she said.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj emphasised that strengthening early childhood education is essential for building a robust education system. He highlighted that the move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes early education and learning in the mother tongue.

The programme launch witnessed participation from Anganwadi workers enrolled in the course, who joined virtually and expressed gratitude to the state leadership and IGNOU. The event was attended by senior officials, including Aravind Agrawal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Higher Education Department, Monisha Banerjee, Director of Women & Child Development Department, and Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU.