PE classes become yoga prep time in state-run schools across Bengal

Kolkata: Students at state-run schools have started practising yoga in their physical education (PE) classes in the run-up to the International Day of Yoga on June 21. For classes IX to XI, which do not have PE periods, separate yoga slots have been created.

The move came after state schools received an order from Paschim Banga Samagra Shiksha Mission, sharing an elaborate planning, coordination and implementation curriculum for yoga at institutes, to be followed from Tuesday till June 21.

After BJP came into office here, Bengal, for the first time, will celebrate International Day of Yoga, to be themed around 'Yoga Healthy Ageing’ and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to attend a grand event in Kolkata that day. Modi is scheduled to arrive here for West Bengal Foundation Day on June 20.

Jadavpur Vidyapith headmaster Partha Pratim Baidya said, “All PE classes have been converted to yoga classes and our two PE teachers have been assigned to these practice sessions. Our students have some knowledge of yoga as they sometimes practise it in their PE classes. But from Tuesday, the PE classes are being completely dedicated to yoga. We also have enough number of yoga mats and so, implementing the order is not a problem.” But some schools, such as Bhawanipur Mitra Institution, do not have enough number of yoga mats and they are looking at alternatives. “We have taken blankets from a decorator as we don’t have enough yoga mats and can’t tell our students to bring them. So, we made this arrangement with money from the school fund. Our sole PT teacher is training the students,” said Raja Dey, Bhawanipur Mitra Institution headmaster.

The order directs schools to organise yoga demonstrations and ensure maximum participation from students, teachers and staff members, with an aim to make it to the Guinness World Records. The notice says schools in North and South 24 Parganas and Howrah should observe Yoga and Mental Well-Being Day on Wednesday. It also makes yoga practice compulsory in schools tribal-dominated districts, such as Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapore. Also, schools in Howrah, Kolkata, the Sundarbans, Cooch Behar and Murshidabad have been asked to arrange for yoga demonstrations at iconic landmarks, such as Howrah bridge, Victoria Memorial and other historically important places.

Sanjay Barua, headmaster at Naraindass Bangur Memorial Multipurpose School in Bangur Avenue, said they created a yoga roster for students of classes 6 to 8 and separate yoga periods for classes 9, 10 and 11. “There is no PE class for 9-11. Those students will practise in off-periods. We have made practising yoga mandatory for all. We plan to have a special session for teachers as well,” Barua said.

An awareness run by students and teachers will be held in each district on June 19, to be organised by the district administration and sports department before the grand events on June 21. Even tea garden workers have been asked to participate in awareness yoga sessions, to be coordinated with the district administrations.

,