Physical education and yoga teachers who are teaching in government schools will now be sent to Ramdev's Patanjali Yogpeeth (Trust) in Uttarakhand for proper yoga training. As per the circular sent on September 12, the training is being conducted as students face problems such as stress, depression, lack of concentration and restlessness.
According to a report, the government has nominated teachers and said the training will help them master the technique of yoga.
Training purpose
The 10-day residential yoga training will be held from September 21 to 30. The circular said, "For the holistic development of a student, a healthy approach towards education and life can be developed right from younger age yogic practices. These problems can be countered with yoga teaching''.
''To give proper practice of yoga to the school students, the training of physical education teachers and yoga teachers may be an effective tool'', it further added.
Expenditure
Although it is a government-sponsored training but the travel arrangements will have to be made by the teachers themselves. The trust charges Rs 1,000 per person for lodging and food. In total 1,237 teachers have been nominated by the directorate of education (DoE).
Saumya Gupta, director of education, said, "In a day or two, we will issue a circular and give teachers opportunity to apply to the physical education department if they have any problem in attending the training. Then case by case we will consider their request." The Government School Teachers Association (GSTA) has criticised the move and said this will put the burden of yoga on the physical education teachers.