Himachal Pradesh: Critics target govt for ‘saffronising’ education as state introduces ‘shlok’ chanting in colleges.
Highlights
- HPSEB goes to introduce Sanskrit from Class III, Vedic maths from Class VI from this session
- HP has plans to start out instructing Bhagvad Gita as topic to college students from Class IX to XII from 2023
- Critics consider that that is simply an try and saffronise minds at a young age
In what’s being seen as an try and saffronise college education or to revive its historic glory, the Himachal Pradesh School Education Board (HPSEB) goes to introduce Sanskrit from Class III and Vedic arithmetic from Class VI from this session.
Besides, the state has plans to start out instructing the Bhagvad Gita as a topic to college students from Class IX to XII from subsequent yr.
Critics consider that relatively than offering high quality education that rests on the muse of honing information in English, arithmetic and science, that is simply an try and saffronise minds at a young age.
However, state Education Minister Govind Thakur believes there’s nothing fallacious in introducing books on values.
The intention is to make the scholars conscious of their tradition. “The Bhagvad Gita will be taught in schools in Sanskrit and Hindi. Also, Sanskrit will be introduced from Class III since it is rich in vocabulary, literature and values,” he stated.
Thakur’s assertion comes within the wake of Gujarat’s announcement that the Bhagvad Gita can be a part of the college syllabus for lessons 6 to 12 this yr.
HPSEB chairman Suresh Kumar Soni advised IANS that the board has ready the syllabus for instructing Sanskrit and Vedic arithmetic in all government and board affiliated colleges.
He stated it could take time to start out instructing the Bhagvad Gita.
The scholar power in board colleges in Class III is round 1.50 lakh, whereas in Class VI it is round 1.25 lakh.
The HPSEB would be the first education board within the nation to introduce Sanskrit on the major degree.
For Class III and IV, the Sanskrit examinations can be goal. After that, the exams can be descriptive.
For Vedic arithmetic, the fundamentals and introduction of the topic will start in Class VI.
An official assertion quoting Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur stated the youthful era should be taught Sanskrit in order that they may really feel pleased with their wealthy tradition and traditions.
He believes Sanskrit is probably the most historic language and excellent among the many nice languages of the world. It is the best treasure given to the world by historic India.
The state Assembly in February 2019 handed a Bill to make Sanskrit the second official language of the state. The first official language of Himachal is Hindi.
In an order on March 4, the Director of Higher Education directed that prayers within the morning college meeting could also be in English, Hindi and Sanskrit to develop the curiosity of scholars in these languages additionally.
Responding to the transfer to start out introducing Sanskrit from Class III onwards, Government Senior Secondary School Principal Ashwani Thakur, who’s posted in Kufri close to right here, advised IANS that many of the government colleges have a Shastri (classical and vernacular) trainer who can simply train Sanskrit.
Presiding over a programme of Sanskrit Bharti at Jwalamukhi in Kangra district in February, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar stated, “We have faith in Sanskrit but sincere work should be done to promote it, for which Sanskrit Bharati was striving.”
He stated Raj Bhavan would arrange a particular cell that may advise on the unfold and apply of Sanskrit.
Arlekar believes Sanskrit is a divine language that must be transformed right into a lokbhasha’ (lingua franca).
“The BJP is trying to politicise education. Instead of imposing the party’s agenda, the BJP government should focus on improving and providing basic infrastructure in the schools,” stated Congress spokesperson Naresh Chauhan.
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