Yoga to be taught during Ist period in Haryana schools

Yoga would be taught in schools during the first period to align students with Indian civilization and culture, Health Minister Anil Vij said on Tuesday.

The move comes as the state government is making efforts to make yoga a mandatory part of the curriculum. The minister said rules were being framed to ensure that the first period in the schools is dedicated to yoga teaching.

"The state government has decided to set up 'Yogshalas' in about 6,500 villages. Rules will be framed to ensure that yoga is taught during the first period in government and private schools," he said at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the 'Acharyakulam' school being set up at Dikadala near Panipat. Vij said Acharyakulam is a residential educational institute that would combine traditional and modern educational system.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, on the occasion, said the education sector needed special attention and the state government was taking concrete steps in this direction. "Since cultural values are equally important, 'Acharyakulam' would help impart education and cultural values together," he said. Haryana's Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said 'Acharyakulam' would revive value-based education.