The Secretary of school education and literacy, HRD Ministry, Subhash Chandra Khuntia, said that yoga will get a boost in school curriculum under the upcoming education policy, being framed by the government. He termed yoga as an art of ensuring "well being" of mind and body and "maintaining balance".
NCERT has published books on yoga for upper primary and secondary students. It is part and parcel of National Curriculum Framework and compulsory for classes VI to X," he said, in the inaugural ceremony of the first Yoga Olympiad.
He said that many certified yoga teachers are present in various institutes but wherever they are unavailable, physical education teachers will be trained to do the needful. The director of National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT), Hrushikesh Senapaty, mentioned that yoga can aid in preparation of good human beings and citizens.
The minister inaugurated the first Yoga Olympiad held in the country, which saw participation of 350 students from 22 states. The three day event at NCERT campus was conducted in order to help the ancient practice gain limelight amongst school children across the country.
He ensured that the country will host the Olympiad annually to ensure that all school going kids learn about the holistic development involved in yoga training. "Yoga for Health and Harmony", is the theme of the Olympiad.