J&K government has directed schools across the union territory to start morning assemblies with the National Anthem.
In a circular issued by the School Education Department on Wednesday, the schools have been also directed to give awareness, motivational talks as mandated by National Education Policy-2020 to inculcate leadership qualities and upgrade skills of students.
“To kickstart a school day on a positive note and to instill a sense of unity and discipline amongst students, Morning Assemblies at the start of school day have proved to be an invaluable ritual of the schooling system. They serve as platforms to nurture the values of moral integrity, shared community, and mental tranquility.
However, it has been observed that such significant ritual/tradition is not being carried out uniformly across various schools of JK UT,” the circular issued by the Principal Secretary to the Government Alok Kumar read.
It said in order to maintain uniformity, it is impressed upon all the stakeholders to, henceforth, conduct morning assemblies of 20 minutes duration.
“Morning Assembly shall begin with National Anthem as per standard protocol,” the circular said.
It added that in order to inculcate leadership qualities and upgrade the skills of the students as mandated under NEP-2020, three to four students/teachers shall compulsorily give awareness/motivational talk on autobiographies on great personalities, freedom fighters and also deliver inspirational talk, character education besides other issues.
The morning assemblies would lay special emphasis on sensitizing the students about the deleterious effects of Narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances (NDPS) on mental and physical wellbeing which, in turn, has an indelible adverse impact on the society.
“It is believed that Morning Assemblies conducted on said lines will not only instill a sense of pride in our national identity but also promotes discipline and unity amongst students. As such, both teacher(s) and student(s) are called upon to perform this onerous responsibility, which shall steer and uplift the mood of the entire school with ease and grace,” it added.
