Hyderabad: The AP government will be adopting a cautious approach while implementing its plans to introduce yoga or meditation in educational institutions in the state. Chanting of Om and performing Surya Namaskars is likely to be taught selectively, depending upon the nature of the school and its location, so as to not invite the wrath of religious groups or parents. A high-level government official said that yoga classes will be held according to local conditions.
In educational institutions located in districts like Kurnool and Guntur which have a sizable minority population and also in Urdu medium schools, chanting of Om will not be prescribed for obvious reasons, the official said. The AP government had issued a GO a few days ago, stating that yoga would be taught in all government schools and junior colleges, from Class VI to senior Intermediate.
However, the authorities are still holding confabulations on how to conduct this new course, the number of classes per week and duration besides other things. The government does not want to rake up any new controversy, especially on religious matters and this aspect will be kept in mind while finalising the course and its contents, the authorities said. The objective was to help children improve their memory and concentration and ensure good health through yoga and meditation, the officials said.
There are nearly 25,000 upper primary and high schools (government and private) to go with the 450-odd government junior colleges and nearly 2,200 private junior colleges in AP. The commissioners of School Education and Intermediate Education and all the participant departments have been given instructions for successful implementation of the programme from this academic year.
In government institutions, physical education trainers and librarians will be given yoga training so that they can conduct classes in their respective institutions. AP government will constitute an inter-departmental committee for coordination between various departments, with school education to act as the nodal department for implementation and monitoring the new policy.
While the AP government has followed in the footsteps of BJP-ruled states in including yoga in the curriculum of educational institutions, the TS government has not shifted its attention to this subject. A government official stated that chances of implementing such programmes in TS were ruled out for this year, but it might be possible from next academic year if the government is so inclined to.
