UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath advocates spiritual learning in schools

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Education Minister Adityanath has proposed that verses from the Bhagavad Gita or Ramcharitmanas be recited in school assemblies to inculcate spiritual learning among students. Speaking at the state awards ceremony of the basic education and Madhyamik education departments on Thursday, Chief Minister Adityanath also advised teachers not to act as members of a union “as it goes against the dignity of the profession.”

“Teachers cannot and should not act as members of a trade union as it undermines the dignity of the profession. When teachers act as members of a trade union, they risk undermining their own respect and honour,” the Chief Minister said at the programme held at the Yogiraj Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium here.

Remembering former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Adityanath conveyed his Teachers’ Day greetings to the citizens of the state. He described Radhakrishnan, a Bharat Ratna awardee, as an eminent scholar and a great philosopher, and noted that his birth anniversary is being celebrated as Teachers’ Day.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Basic Education (Independent Charge) Sandeep Singh said that the foundation of any country’s progress lies in its culture and educated citizens. He stressed that under the leadership of Chief Minister Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh government is strengthening and organizing the entire education system.

“Efforts can be made to give a spiritual dimension to the school environment. For instance, during the morning assembly, a five-minute speech could be delivered to the students based on verses from the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita or the Ramcharitmanas. Such efforts will leave a lasting positive impact on the minds of the children,” the Chief Minister added.

He asked the teachers to present their demands in a democratic manner and assured them that a memorandum written in a direct manner and focused on their issues would be considered “as an order and not as a plea”. At the event, 41 teachers from the basic education department and 13 from the Madhyamik education department were awarded prizes. The Chief Minister personally handed over the awards to them.

One of the teachers, Moolchand from Aligarh, had an injured leg, so Chief Minister Adityanath approached him from the stage to present him with the award. The Chief Minister said India has always shown respect for ‘gurus’ (teachers).

“Our scriptures reflect reverence for the guru with the mantra ‘Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu’. Sant Kabir Das, in the quote ‘Guru Govind Dou Khade’, has placed the guru even above the god. Reverence for the guru exists because without devotion, one cannot attain knowledge. It is also said here that ‘Shraddhavan Labhate Gyanam’ (the devotee attains knowledge). And those who lack knowledge cannot achieve anything in life,” he added.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said that a teacher is the centre of veneration in society but to be worthy of it, one must dedicate themselves to hard work. “Merely getting a degree does not bring knowledge, rigorous practice is also necessary. The path of dedication may be difficult but its results are the best. Teachers should never shy away from the path of hard work and dedication,” he said.

The Chief Minister also said that he has directed the education department to utilise the services of the award-winning teachers for the syllabus and textbooks of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT).

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Education Policy (NEP) has set new milestones. “In line with this, we should not only adhere to traditional curricula but also embrace innovation. Innovation can easily happen in all fields,” he added.

Minister Adityanath noted that since teachers are the builders of the country’s future, they must constantly focus on innovation. “This can start at the school level. Teachers, with the support of students and parents, can create a clean, beautiful and green school environment,” he said.

The Chief Minister appealed to all teachers to join the Prime Minister’s vision of making India a developed country by 2047. He said the NEP also envisions a developed India and added that this journey begins with fulfilling civic duties. “If we focus on our duties, rights will come automatically,” he added.