Health Update: Physical education, wellness classes to be introduced in Odisha schools: Minister – What Experts Say

Students from Classes III to VIII in Odisha will receive structured lessons on health, wellness, and physical education starting from the upcoming academic year. This ambitious initiative will be implemented under the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The information was shared in the Odisha Legislative Assembly by the School & Mass Education (S&ME) Minister Nityananda Gond on Friday, while responding to a question during the ongoing session of the Assembly.

The S&ME Minister informed the House that the new educational component aims to promote healthy living and physical fitness among students at an early stage of their schooling. The programme is part of the broader reforms being carried out in the State’s education system in alignment with the national policy.

Minister Gond also stated that teaching through digital platforms has already been introduced in many schools. According to him, digital classrooms are currently being used to deliver lessons through e-content, making learning more interactive and accessible for students.

The initiative is expected to encourage the students to adopt healthy lifestyles while also strengthening the role of physical education in the school curriculum across the State.

“Teachers are being provided with special training to enhance their social, emotional, and moral learning competencies and to apply this knowledge in schools. This includes daily sessions in every school from 6.30 AM to 7.30 AM for prayer, group exercises, yoga, and pranayam,” the Minister said in his reply in the Assembly.

“As per NEP 2020, the Odisha government will implement physical education and wellness textbooks in the school curriculum from third to eighth Classes,” the Minister added.