Since Value Education disciplines have become mandatory, neither state education departments nor students are allowed to skip them (Representative Image)
3 free books will be sent to schools between December 18 and 22, one each for the following grade levels: classes 6 – 7, classes 9 – 10 and classes 11 – 12
The Haryana government schools have mandated that all students above class 6 learn the value education curriculum under the NEP 2020 which includes readings from the Bhagavadgita. According to the latest updates cited by Financial Express, under this compulsory value education curriculum, students will gain important lessons from the lives of Buddha, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, APJ Abdul Kalam Azad, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Sarojini Naidu, and Eklavya. Three free books will be sent to schools between December 18 and 22, one for each of the following grade levels: classes 6 and 7, classes 9 and 10, and classes 11 and 12.
Previously, such value-addition classes were an elective element of the curriculum, making it easier for students to steer clear of them entirely. Since these disciplines have become mandatory, neither state education departments nor students are allowed to skip or disregard them. Students must read the books and completely study the updated information to be prepared for answering ten-mark questions in their examinations.
According to Financial Express, an official engaged in the development of the new books indicated that the committee opted to add teachings from the Bhagavadgita because of its potential to inspire and nurture moral character. Some believe that studying this sacred literature may teach them courage, simplicity, discipline, politeness, devotion, focus, hard work, and principles of success.
Furthermore, the books assigned for Class 9 and 10 will tell tales of great personalities like Maitreyi, an Indian philosopher from the later Vedic era of ancient India who is mentioned in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Shivaji, Buddha, Sister Nivedita (an Irish teacher and disciple of Swami Vivekananda), Ekalavya (a character from the Mahabharata), and others. These stories attempt to provide varied views and understanding of these historical and philosophical individuals from Indian history and literature.
The curriculum of the Haryana government was reorganised to align with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) director chaired a seven-person group that was formed to do this. This group was entrusted with redesigning the value education component of the curriculum to meet the criteria given in the NEP and NCFSE.
