Yoga in schools a stretch?

One out of every four schools run by the government do not have playgrounds, says the District Information System for Education. 

Yet, the State is keen on formalising a policy to teach yoga in its schools by roping in voluntary instructors trained from various non-government organisations. 

Academicians are of the view that children are better off playing out in playgrounds than getting confined in a hall learning yoga with differing food habits among other factors that would impact the practice, especially those based on breath control. The next worry is over where it would be slotted in the already stretched timetable, given that ‘value education’ does not find a place. Yoga practice should be based on choice not thrust on the students. Instead, emphasis should be on identifying the students’ talents in different games and sports, and equip them to compete in national and international meets, according to academicians here. PB Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System(SPCSS), said, “Students who come from poor background have different dietary habits, and thrusting a unitary practise like yoga is not advisable. There are many scientific questions such as practising yoga right after lunch too had to be considered. Yoga can only be prescribed as one of the exercises and not a compulsory practise.”  SPCSS had been impressing the State to appoint Physical Education Teachers (PETs) in every school having Classes between 1 and 5.  

“Only if PETs are appointed, it would benefit the children, as qualified PETs can identify the unique motor skills and point them towards the appropriate sport or game. This talent identification would not be possible for non-PETs tasked to handle sports and games for children. It appears that the State is resorting to diversionary tactics when we are rallying for equitable access of teachers to all students in Tamil Nadu,” Prince Gajendra Babu said.  

“Yoga is not a universal quick fix for the struggling students,” he added. He also mooted the idea of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) joining hands with School Education Department to nurture sporting talents, which would in turn put the State on the national and global sports map. 

PK Ilamaran, president of Tamil Nadu Teachers Association, who concurred with the views of Prince, said, “We have roughly around 3,200 PETs across the State which works out to about 10 per cent of the total number of State-run schools present here.”  

“We should put the house in order first.  Government schools lack basic infrastructures such as toilets. Most of the conservancy workers appointed are on consolidated pay. Many schools do not have playgrounds. I am not against yoga though. The School Education Department has now proposed to revise the syllabus and such initiatives should be coupled with enhancing the school education system, by ensuring cent per cent infrastructure for all the schools, ahead of yoga. I hear that they were planning to rope in about 15,000 volunteers trained by the NGOs and other private bodies. It appears like a temporary measure,” Ilamaran added. 

Yoga should be based on the child’s informed choice, suggested child rights activist Andrew Sesuraj.  “I see it as an opportunity to implement a commonly accepted principle like yoga which could later open up avenues for Hindi imposition and setting up Navodaya Schools, which are at present vehemently opposed in the State. The practitioners and volunteers who are being roped in could be from the institutions run by the religious gurus. 

This could set up a stage to saffronise the education,” Andrew Sesuraj said.  However, Dr N J Muthukumar, superintendent of National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Tambaram, said, “Yoga is a way of life and a supportive therapy in Siddha. For children, it would help improve their focus and intellect, indirectly. It increases the blood circulation and helps enhance the functioning of internal organs,” The doctor suggested early morning would be the most optimum time. 

“Avoid doing yoga right after a meal, since it could lead to discomfort. The body needs to complete the digestion process. If need be, yoga can be done two hours after consuming a meal, at any time of the day”, the doctor added. When contacted, School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan promised to revert with details on how to allay fears expressed in rolling out of yoga in all government schools. However, the minister could not be reached for his further comments on the issue.