In Odisha, the Bidhayak Medha Samman Yojana was unveiled by Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj during a headmasters’ conclave in Dhamnagar, Bhadrak district. The scheme seeks to reward meritorious students, motivate teachers, and strengthen grassroots education in assembly constituencies by involving local legislators directly in educational development efforts.
Under the programme, students who secure A1 grades in the Class X board examinations will receive a cash award of ₹5,000, while those who excel in state-level science fairs, sports, and cultural competitions will also be eligible for similar awards. Schools that demonstrate high academic achievements, low dropout rates and strong enrolment figures will see their headmasters rewarded with ₹10,000 each.
Officials say the initiative is intended to foster healthy competition among schools, reduce dropout rates, and develop a performance-driven educational ecosystem. By tying recognition and incentives to measurable outcomes, the government hopes to lift overall learning quality, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the scheme, noting its potential to create a supportive environment for students and educators. However, some critics have called for complementary reforms focusing on infrastructure and teacher training to ensure long-term impact.
In the United States, New Jersey’s legislature has given final approval to a bill that will require strict limits on cellphone use in classrooms and other school settings in public K-12 schools. The measure, which passed with broad bipartisan support, now awaits the signature of Governor Phil Murphy and is expected to take effect in the 2026-27 academic year.
Under the proposed law, the New Jersey Department of Education will issue statewide guidelines on restricting internet-enabled devices during school hours, aiming to standardise cellphone policies across districts. While many schools already enforce their own rules, the new framework seeks to reduce distractions linked to social media and non-educational use of phones during instruction time.
Exceptions to the ban will be permitted for instructional purposes and student health needs. Districts may also implement storage solutions, such as lockers or locked pouches, to manage devices during the school day. Supporters of the bill argue that limiting cellphone use can improve classroom engagement and academic performance.
The dual developments in Odisha and New Jersey underscore a global focus on educational quality — from rewarding excellence to reining in distractions that impede learning.
