A practitioner of Buddhist Vipassana meditation himself, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wants all the Government teachers to practice meditation during summer vacations. Sources said that Kejriwal has asked Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to make a plan regarding the meditation for all the Government teachers. A circular to this effect has been issued on Monday.
“Education aims to wholesome and holistic development of the personality of the educator. And moral values constitute the very pedestal for the development of human personality,” stated the official notification.
The circular further noted that experience of the Education Department of the Delhi Government has taught that the “present methodology” for imparting education has “not proved to be sufficient”. It pointed out that to re-inculcate core human values and save children from vices like violence, rage, stealing, lying, intoxicants, sexual and other misconduct, teachers should “empowered morally and practically”.
“With this aim in the view, it has been decided, at the highest level, to get teachers and officers trained in the age-old scientific and secular practices of Vipassana and Anapana,” the circular stated.
Interested teachers to volunteer for 10-day meditation training to be held at centres close to Delhi could send their names and details after duly recommended by their school principals. “They may utilise the summer vacation for this purpose,” stated the circular. The Education Department stated that the training would be provided by Vipassana centres free-of-cost and boarding and lodging would also be free.
“It has been decided that teachers and officers who volunteer to go for this training will be marked on duty and travel allowance will be provided on submission of certificate issued by Vipassana centres on successful completion of training,” the circular stated.
The teachers after completing the training will further train the children in their respective schools. Delhi Government runs 1,007 schools, Municipal Corporation of Delhi runs 1,792 and New Delhi Municipal Council runs 72 schools. There is shortage of around 17,000 teachers and the schools are running with the help of contract teachers. last year, around 8,000 teachers were employed but on contractual basis.