The Yogi Government is contemplating making Rs Yoga’ compulsory in State-run schools. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is taking the lead to ensure that Yoga and Sanskrit were made compulsory and part of the curriculum.
A senior official told The Pioneer on Thursday that directives from the CM is clear that Yoga be taught in all State-run schools. “This would be part of physical education programme. The sports teachers have also been asked to learn Yoga and teach the same in schools,” the official said.
“The CM has given a cut-off date of June 30 by which the order should be implemented. The blueprint of the scheme is being readied. Physical Education teachers (sports teachers) will be given two months to learn Yoga,” he said.
This is not the first time Yoga will be introduced in school curriculum. When Rajnath Singh was Chief Minister, a similar attempt was made to introduce Yoga but the decision sparked controversy with the Opposition claiming that the then BJP Government was trying make UP a ‘Hindu State’. Early this week, the CM had said Yoga and performing ‘namaaz’ were almost similar during a function organised by Baba Ramdev in lucknow.
Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya said a person with stable mind cannot link Yoga with religion. “Yoga is the way to keep fit. It is part of physical exercise and there are medical records to suggest that children who do Yoga regularly excel in their studies,” he said.
“Still, there are some elements who will raise a hue and cry. But if the CM has made up his mind to teach Yoga to students in government schools, he should go ahead with it,” he said.
Schools in Madhya Pradesh teach Yoga and ‘Surya Namaskar’ has been made mandatory there.
After All India Muslim Personal law Board (AIMPlB) raised a red flag, the government clarified that those students who do not want to do ‘Surya Namskar’ because ‘their faith does not allow them to do so’, were free to skip it.
Meanwhile, Yogi Adityanath has also asked officials to ensure 24 hour power supply in all cities from June this year without any discrepancy. The villages whould be getting power for 20 hours while tehsils will get electricity for 22 hours.
The Chief Minister has issued directives to ministers not to take leave during working days. The move came after several ministers skipped cabinet meeting and avoided presentations of different departments.
A senior minister said that they have been asked to work for 12-15 hours a day as the CM himself works for 18 hours.