Union Education Minister Asks NCERT To Include Yoga In School Curriculum

Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has asked the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to include yoga in school curriculum.

Inaugurating the National Yoga Olympiad 2022 in New Delhi on Saturday, Pradhan said yoga is India’s contribution to the world for people’s overall health and well-being.

Developed by ancient rishis and yogis after research for centuries, yoga has proved to be highly beneficial practice for a sound life, he said adding that its significance was realised by people during the COVID pandemic.

Stating that the yoga achieved global recognition after United Nations announced June 21 to be observed as International Yoga Day, Pradhan said this year’s theme ‘Yoga for Humanity’ aims at bringing it closer to lifestyle of mankind so that people can lead a disease-free and healthy life.

“National Education Policy 2020 stresses on sound physical and mental condition of teachers and students. Yoga can play a pivotal role in this regard. It can ensure their fitness for lifetime. Considering this, yoga should be included in the school curriculum,” he said at the three-day Olympiad.

Congratulating the NCERT for organising the Yoga Olympiad for the last 8 years, the minister urged the Council to carry it forward to cover each block in the country.

Union Minister of State for Education Subash Sarkar, NCERT director Prof Dinesh Prasad Saklani and senior officials and eminent educationists were present on the occasion.