Chandigarh (Haryana): All students of class six and above in Haryana will have to read Bhagwat Gita, which according to the state government is part of the value education curriculum under the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Besides this, they will also have to learn lessons based on lives of Gautam Buddha, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, APJ Abdul Kalam Azad, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Sarojini Naidu, and Eklavya.
All this is set to become part of the academic curriculum of the students from the next academic session, said a senior officer of the state’s education department, adding that the NEP committee had recommended the inclusion of these chapters in the coursebook to add value to the education.
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The education department has also proposed to send three set of free books to all schools between 18 and 22 December, one for each for the students of classes 6 and 7, classes 9 and 10, and classes 11 and 12.
“Study of Bhagavad Gita will be included in the mandatory value education syllabus as teaching of the 700-verse Hindu scripture has the potential to inspire and nurture moral character of the students. Some believe that studying this sacred literature may teach them courage, simplicity, discipline, politeness, devotion, focus, hard work, and principles of success,” said the official.
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The state government has modifying the syllabus for the government schools in line with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The amendments to the existing curriculum was made on the suggestions of the seven-member committee of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), headed by its director.
State chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar had at the International Gita Festival in Kurushetra on Sunday stated that Gita is not just a book or scripture, it is the “essence of life, Gita is universal and eternal”. He had also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is following the path of Lord Ram, while in his duties and actions, he is walking on the path of Lord Krishna. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who also attended the event, praised CM Khattar and described him as a “true follower” of the Gita.
Earlier last year, the Gujarat government had decided to include Shrimad Bhagavad Gita in the school syllabus for Classes 6-12. A circular issued by the state government in this regard said the idea is to “cultivate a sense of pride and connection to traditions”.
