Heritage Revival: Minister Aims to Transform 150-Year-Old School into Educational Landmark

Revitalizing a Historical Institution

In Sambalpur, Minister Suresh Pujari announced plans to preserve the 150-year-old Chandrasekhar Behera Zilla School as a heritage site. During his visit, he expressed interest in forming partnerships with IIM Sambalpur to enhance educational offerings.

Pujari took the opportunity to assess the students' learning experiences, spending time with Class X pupils and observing a science lesson from a student’s perspective. He later engaged with the teacher regarding the National Education Policy, 2020, and quizzed students on their knowledge of science and history.

Sharing his personal connection to the school, where he attended Classes VIII and IX, Pujari reminisced about the many freedom fighters who were once students there, urging current students to recognize and draw inspiration from the institution's rich legacy.

He paid homage to Baju Narayan Murty, a former headmaster, whom he regarded as an outstanding educator.

Pujari emphasized the importance of teachers learning from the innovative teaching techniques employed at IIM Sambalpur. He commended the school's smart classrooms, describing them as exemplary models for other institutions. He stated, 'If a school is a machine for creating capable individuals, then teachers are its operators.'

Highlighting the potential of the students, he noted that with the right guidance, they could achieve great success.

The minister also consulted with headmaster Lokita Das and District Education Officer Lakshman Bhoi about the school's transformation into a heritage institution, promising to discuss the initiative with the state's education secretary and director.

Following this, he visited Brajamohan Patnaik School in Pattnayakpada to observe its educational practices and shared a midday meal with the students.

District Education Officer Lakshman Bhoi and other educational officials were present during the minister's visits.