Yoga will be introduced as a subject from class VI to X in all central government run schools and 80 out of 100 marks will be reserved for practicals during which students have to perform various asanas
New Delhi: Yoga will be introduced as a subject from class VI to X in all central government run schools and 80 out of 100 marks will be reserved for practicals during which students have to perform various asanas, HRD Minister Smriti Irani announced today.
"Yoga will be taught in upper primary and secondary (Class VI to X). We have decided that 80 per cent will be for practicals. I want an assurance from students that they will perform the practicals with full devotion," she said at a function here but did not specify from when it will be introduced.
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School children pose for pictures in various 'asanas' after the International Yoga Day event at Rajpath in New Delhi on Sunday. Pic/PTI
The remaining 20 per cent will be for theory, she said, adding there will be no additional burden on the students.
Yoga will be introduced to students from Class VI to X in all Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country.
Officials said the ministry is considering whether the subject can be introduced in schools from this academic session itself. Some of the books on yoga, prepared by NCERT, are still under print, they said.
"Our aim behind this (bringing yoga as a subject) is that our children go to school happily. Therefore, our aim is to give a push to physical activities in schools," the minister said while seeking to assuage fears of another examination for students already under pressure with subjects like Maths, Science, Commerce and Humanities.
A national-level competition on yoga would be organised here next year where the best performing student will be given a cash prize of Rs five lakh, Irani said.
Releasing the syllabus and course material for the students a day after the International Yoga Day celebrations, the Minister said the states were free to decide on adopting the syllabus in their schools and to link with their the course curriculum.
Irani said a training module on yoga would be established for teacher education programme. The aim is to produce a pool of trained teachers in yoga to meet the growing demand for them, she said.
"We have prepared syllabus for teachers as well. One is diploma in yoga education, bachelors in yoga education and masters in yoga education," she said.
Irani, on the occasion, also said that a mobile app will be launched on July 17 where NCERT books from class I to XII can be downloaded free.
A 'Kala Utsav' would also be organised in December at Connaught Place (Central Park) here where ethnic culture, song and dance would be showcased by students from across the country.
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