Yoga to be made compulsory in CBSE schools

[shalini]

The overall development of health will assume prime focus in Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools across the country with
the National Council of Education, Research and Training (NCERT) set to introduce yoga in these institutions.

"It is already being taught in several schools informally. But we want a more structured approach. We will probably have a separate period for it," said G T Bhandage, principal of the Regional Institute of Education (RIE), Mysore which is in charge of implementing the scheme in the four southern states, Pudhucherry and Lakshwadeep.

Conceptualised in the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 as an integral component of health and physical education', a mandatory subject until the secondary school stage, yoga can have a positive impact on a child's psycho-social and mental development along with physical development, the NCERT's recommendations for the scheme said. It could be introduced informally from the primary level but formal introduction of yogic exercises can begin only from class VI, the recommendations noted.

Emphasising that the time allotted for yoga and games should not be reduced or taken away, the NCERT recommended that the project first look towards preparing and training teachers. "We will form a committee to look into the preliminary proposals sent by yoga institutes for training. The committee members will comprise representatives of NGOs operating in the field. A RIE representative will be the nodal person on the panel that is likely to be formed in May," Bhandage said.

"They [NCERT representatives] have been saying that yoga and physical health needs to be a part of the curriculum. However, we already have yoga classes for students of classes IV and V because by that age children are old enough to do the exercises and have the time for it. These lessons are incorporated as an extra-curricular activity during school hours itself along with music, dance and karate," said Subala Ananthanarayanan, principal, Sri Sankara Senior Secondary School, Adyar.

At Devi Academy School, Valsaravakkam, students from classes IX to XII have a 15-minute yoga lesson before the morning assembly. "We also have classes twice a week after school hours for interested children. We are planning to make it compulsory this year," said principla Malathy Srinivasan, who is also the chairperson of Chennai Sahodaya Complex, an association of CBSE schools in the city.

[abbadavis]

I think not only in the CBSE but in all schools yoga should be included as a subject. So that students learn this and get the benefits associated with it. So this should be done as early as possible.