New Controversy Over Yoga in Schools, Not Compulsory, Says Smriti Irani

New Delhi:  Yoga education will be introduced in all central government schools for classes 6 to 10, Education Minister Smriti Irani said today. Reacting swiftly to reports that headlined that the government was making yoga “compulsory” in schools, Ms Irani tweeted: “Wrong headline.”

The government says students will have the option of choosing yoga from various physical education courses.

Releasing a new yoga syllabus and course material for students at the launch of a yoga teachers’ conference, Ms Irani also said states were free to decide on whether to adopt the course.

She assured that learning yoga would not burden students.

“I can sense that students are worrying….after maths, science etc now exams for yoga too! But I am happy to say 80 per cent marks in yoga will be for practicals,” she said, getting a loud cheer from students in her audience.

“But I want an assurance from students that they will perform the practicals with full devotion,” she added.

Defending the decision to introduce yoga, the minister said her government’s aim was to push physical activities in school.

Ms Irani said training programmes for teachers will also include yoga.

Her announcement comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi led nationwide yoga day celebrations and even performed asanas on Rajpath, a ceremonial road in Delhi where the Republic Day parade is held every year.

The government has rubbished concerns expressed by some groups that its yoga pitch reflects a pro-Hindu agenda.

Ms Irani said her ministry plans a national-level yoga competition in Delhi, where the best performer will be given a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.