The students of all Government schools in Bhubaneswar now have to pray twice a day as a new rule has been framed to make the children more disciplined.
As per a decision by the School & Mass Education Department, two-time prayer classes were made compulsory for the students in primary, upper primary and high schools in the State capital from Thursday.
The students are to pray before commencement of classes and at the end of school hours at 4 pm.
“Earlier, the process was being followed in a few schools. The initiative for conducting two-time prayer a day has been implemented in all Government schools in Bhubaneswar with an aim to make students more disciplined. Later, all schools in the State will be asked to follow the rule,” said School & Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash.
The move came in view of possible fatal accidents of students who are very often found running hurriedly from school campus and used to cross the roads in a careless manner after end of the school hours.
After ringing of last school bell, all students are to assemble and attend the prayer class. Besides, they would be asked to speak something about themselves, following which they will be allowed to leave for their homes, sources in the department said.