Bhuvneswar : Biju Janata Dal chief and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has called on the government to address the serious issues undermining confidence in India’s education system during the upcoming Parliament session starting tomorrow.
In a statement on X, Patnaik said the breach of trust in the education system is a “grave issue” affecting millions of students nationwide and must be the highest parliamentary priority, with responsibility fixed for these failures. He highlighted “paper leaks, flawed assessments, and systemic failures” as problems that must never recur.
Patnaik urged the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with students who have been peacefully protesting for several days. He affirmed his party’s support by saying, “@bjd_odisha stands firmly with the youth and students of the country.”
He stressed the importance of a strong education system and credible examinations, stating, “Every developed nation is built upon a strong education system and a transparent, credible examination process. India too has made remarkable progress because of the strength of its education system. It has nurtured generations of brilliant doctors, scientists, engineers, teachers, and innovators who have shaped modern India.”
Patnaik warned that the damage caused by the loss of trust extends “far beyond a failed exam,” shaking the foundation of the education system. “It tells deserving students that hard work no longer matters, and robs them of their only ladder out of poverty. A nation that compromises the integrity of its examination system, compromises its own future,” he said.
He called for a thorough debate in Parliament on the flaws of the education system during the monsoon session, emphasising the need for concrete reforms to prevent future failures and to ensure accountability for the breach of trust.
Patnaik urged the government to set aside politics and initiate dialogue with students, stating: “Politics aside, I urge the government to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the students who have been peacefully protesting for days. They must be given a platform to express their views. A vibrant democracy advances through dialogue, not silence— and this dialogue is most vital when it involves the youth of the nation. The children and young people of India are looking to us for leadership. We cannot fail them.”
He added that sincere and open-minded discussions with the peaceful youth protestors “will help restore faith in our democracy, in our education system, and in the leadership entrusted with shaping their future.”
