Bhubaneswar, 22nd December, 2025 : A one-day Headmasters’ Conclave–2025 was held today in the Dhamnagar area of Bhadrak district, during which the “Bidhayak Medha Samman” programme was formally launched. 

The initiative aims to strengthen the education system in the Dhamnagar Assembly constituency by prioritising quality education, reducing school dropout rates, and encouraging students, teachers and educational institutions that demonstrate excellence.

Higher Education Minister and Dhamnagar MLA Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, who attended the programme, outlined the objectives and vision of the initiative. Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the programme seeks to bring transformative change in the education sector by strengthening the system at the grassroots level. He noted that following the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focused efforts are being made in Dhamnagar to impart quality education, reduce dropout rates, improve overall enrolment ratios, and recognise meritorious students, headmasters and schools.

Describing teachers as the architects of society, Shri Suraj emphasised their crucial role in shaping the future of the next generation. He said that alongside building strong infrastructure and ensuring quality education, it is equally important to motivate teachers and students. 

"Bidhayak Medha Samman" programme has therefore been launched for the first time in the Dhamnagar constituency to encourage academic excellence and institutional performance.

Under the "Bidhayak Medha Samman", awards will be presented in *four categories* :

 *1. Student Awards* In the Dhamnagar Assembly constituency, the "Student Awards" will be presented in the following manner.  

(A) Rs 5,000 to each student securing A1 grade in the Class 10th Board Examination

(B) Rs 5,000 to each student honoured at the state level under "Mukhyamantri Siksha Puraskar"

(C) Rs 5,000 to each student honoured at the state level under the "Surabhi" programme

(D) Rs 5,000 to each student awarded at the State-Level Science Exhibition

(E) Rs 5,000 to each student awarded at state-level sports and cultural competitions

 *2. Headmaster Awards* 

In the Dhamnagar Assembly constituency, the "Headmaster  Awards" will be presented in the following manner.  

(A) Rs 10,000 to the headmaster of the school with the highest number of A1 grades in the Class 10th Board Examination

(B) Rs 10,000 to the headmaster of the school with the highest number of students 

honoured at the state level under "Mukhyamantri Siksha Puraskar"

(C) Rs 10,000 to the headmaster of a school that achieves a reduction in dropout rate in a one year baseline mark.

(D) Rs 10,000 to the headmaster of the school with the highest enrolment in an academic year.

3 *. Best Performing School Award* 

Based on effective implementation of NEP 2020 benchmarks, teacher and student attendance and academic performance, one school from the Dhamnagar constituency will be selected as the Best School and will be  awarded Rs 15 lakh.

4. *Best School for Dropout Reduction* 

One primary or secondary school in the constituency that achieves either a 25% reduction in dropout rate within one year or a 15% increase in enrolment compared to the previous year will be selected and awarded Rs 15 lakh.

A selection committee will be constituted to evaluate schools based on NEP 2020 implementation, infrastructure strengthening initiatives, effectiveness of educational schemes, and academic and administrative performance. Awards will be conferred based on the committee’s recommendations and the final decision of Higher Education Minister.

Awarded schools will be reviewed in every four months, with dropout rates and enrolment monitored through an online dashboard. An annual report titled “Dhamnagar Education Progress Report” will also be published.

Eminent educationist and Professor at the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), Prof. Ranjana Arora, attended the programme as a distinguished guest. She appreciated the initiatives undertaken by the Odisha Government for educational development, from teacher capacity building to the implementation of NEP 2020 and guided headmasters on reducing dropout rates and improving enrolment.

Bhadrak Collector Shri Dilip Kumar Routray, Chief Development Officer-cum-Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad Shri Shubendu Kumar Samal, Sub-Collector Shri Saurabh Chakraborty and District Education Officer Shri Jagabandhu Sahu, along with other senior officials were present in today's programme.

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