Bhubaneswar: A total of 45,000 schools across the state will receive a Jadupedi learning kit, designed for Sishu Vatika (pre-primary), classes I and II, to create a joyful learning environment and strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy. Each Jadupedi kit costs around Rs 20,000 and includes toys and learning tools specially designed for children aged between three and eight years. The state government has allocated Rs 90 crore for the project developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
Reviewing the kit, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his satisfaction. "These materials will help young children learn through locally relatable toys and activities. Jadupedi will not only aid in their cognitive development but also attract them towards regular classroom learning," he said. The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 and aims to enhance fundamental learning across the state, official sources said.
"Children will learn the basics in a fun-filled classroom setup through games, stories, music, dance and group activities during the foundational years," said a senior officer of the school and mass education department. As per NEP-2020, all primary schools in the state have added a Sishu Vatika class as the government increased the age for studying in Class I to six years from the 2025-26 academic session. The current 10+2 structure in schools will be replaced with a 5+3+3+4 structure, with five years of early childhood learning comprising two years of preschool at anganwadi centres and Sishu Vatika as the entry-level in school.
"With children having little attention span and being more attracted to watch mobile phones instead of books, the Jadupedi learning kit can become a game changer for the children. Learning will be fun for children, and they will enjoy learning, which will improve their foundational learning abilities as well," Ranjita Pradhan, a primary school teacher in a government-run school here, said.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A building previously used as a church is getting new life as an education center. Lightbridge Academy is preparing to open at 1180 E. Alex Bell Road in Centerville. The structure previously housed South Dayton Presbyterian Church until it moved to 5280 Bigger Road in Centerville.
According to the educational institution, the open enrollment process started in April for its projected opening in the fall. “With a focus on STEM learning, social-emotional development, and technology-enhanced classrooms, Lightbridge Academy sets the foundation for a lifelong love of learning,” said Lightbridge. Online property records show the building was sold by Alphabet of Centerville LLC to LC-Centerville OH-1-UT LLC for $1,600,000 on March 11.
On April 29, 2025, the Christian County Public School System officially cut the ribbon on the Cub Cruiser—a mobile classroom for kids ages five and under. The goal? To bring educational resources and preschool screenings directly into neighborhoods—especially where childcare access is limited.
Kaitlynne Bolinger, Outreach Coordinator for Christian County Public Schools, says that it started with a vision—transforming a school bus into a rolling opportunity for early learning. Christian County Superintendent Chris Bentzel says the funding came from a state grant—and the district’s desire to better serve the county’s youngest learners.
After the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early Learning Center, children as young as three were able to take part in preschool screenings. Families can also pre-register their children on the Christian County Public Schools website. With the Cub Cruiser now rolling through neighborhoods, educators say this is a step toward making early childhood education more accessible than ever before.
