Odisha textbook errors: BJD to launch statewide save education campaign from July 9

The BJD has announced a statewide Save Education campaign from July 9 to 15 over alleged errors in Odisha's new school textbooks. The party has demanded withdrawal of the books, corrected editions within a month and the School and Mass Education Minister's resignation.

In Short

• The opposition accused the government of inaction after textbooks reached classrooms
• Senior leaders sought accountability and renewed calls for Minister Nityananda Gond's resignation
• Byomkesh Ray said faulty books remained despite the academic session beginning

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has announced a week-long statewide campaign against the Odisha government's handling of alleged errors in newly introduced school textbooks. The opposition party has demanded immediate withdrawal of the books, fresh corrected editions within a month, and the resignation of the School and Mass Education Minister.

The 'Save Education Campaign' will run from July 9 to 15. The opposition party has accused the BJP government of failing to act despite widespread criticism over mistakes in textbooks for Classes 1 to 8.

Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, senior BJD leaders said the campaign would highlight concerns over the quality of the textbooks and demand accountability from the state government.

The party has reiterated its demand for the resignation of School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond and called for immediate corrective measures.

PROTESTS TO REACH EVERY DISTRICT

BJD MLA and senior general secretary Byomkesh Ray, along with the party's youth wing president Chinmay Sahu and student wing chief Ipsita Sahu, alleged that the government had failed to withdraw the allegedly faulty textbooks even after the academic session had begun.

The party claimed there was a lack of coordination between the Chief Minister, the School Education Minister and the department's senior officials, delaying corrective action.

According to the BJD, protests and awareness programmes will be organised across Odisha between July 9 and July 15. The party has appealed to parents, students and citizens to participate in the campaign, saying the issue directly affects children's education.

DEMAND FOR REVISED BOOKS

The opposition has demanded that all allegedly defective textbooks be withdrawn immediately and replaced with revised, error-free editions within one month.

In a statement, the BJD said parents and students were deeply concerned and warned that the government would be held accountable for what it described as lapses affecting children's future.

The textbook controversy has remained in focus since reports highlighted factual, spelling and printing errors in the new books prepared for the 2026-27 academic session. The state government has already initiated corrective measures, suspended officials and promised revised editions after seeking public feedback.

CPI(M) JOINS THE CRITICISM

The issue has also drawn criticism from the CPI(M), which staged demonstrations demanding the resignation of the School and Mass Education Minister.

CPI(M) state secretary Suresh Chandra Panigrahy alleged that the textbooks were prepared hastily to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 without adequate involvement of experienced writers, educationists, reviewers and proofreaders.

He also claimed that the alleged unscientific use of artificial intelligence contributed to the mistakes and demanded immediate withdrawal of the books, supply of corrected editions and strict action against those responsible.

(With PTI Inputs)

- Ends