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New Academic Calendars
The Rajasthan government’s recent release of a new school calendar has ignited controversy. The calendar includes the inauguration day of the Ram temple in Ayodhya known as Ramlala Pran Pratishtha Day as a celebration in schools. This decision has drawn praise for promoting cultural awareness but also criticism for potentially violating the state’s secular education principles.
The calendar outlines plans for schools to mark Ramlala Pran Pratishtha Day on January 22nd. Specific activities have not been detailed yet but general guidelines suggest discussions about the day’s significance and student artwork depicting its importance.
Education Ministers on Defense
Education officials defend the move, stating it aims to instill a sense of cultural heritage and understanding of significant religious events among students. They believe discussions and creative activities will foster appreciation for India’s diverse traditions. However, some parents express concerns about prioritizing religious events in government schools. They argue that schools should be neutral spaces where all students feel included regardless of background. Critics warn that celebrating religious festivals in schools could blur the lines between religion and state, compromising the secular nature of education.
The inclusion of Raksha Bandhan, a Hindu festival celebrating the bond between siblings in the calendar on a slightly adjusted date (August 17th instead of 19th) has also sparked discussions about the extent of religious observance within the school system.
The NCERT Row
This move comes after the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) revising its political science syllabus. These revisions have eliminated mentions of the Babri Masjid demolition and the BJP’s Ram Rath Yatra led by senior leader Lal Krishna Advani. Approximately 30,000 Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools make use of the NCERT curriculum. Advisors Yogesh Yadav and Suhas Palshikar disassociated themselves from the “rationalized” political science textbooks of NCERT along with 33 academics from renowned colleges across India were part of the textbook development committee and wrote to NCERT director D.P. Saklani asking for their names to be removed from the textbooks.
(with inputs from news agencies)
