Dehradun: The BJP government in Uttarakhand has decided to introduce Sanskrit as a compulsory subject from class III to VIII.
As per media reports, the State government will place in public domain soon the guidelines for the introduction of the subject into the course curriculum.
According to the State education secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram, private schools under various boards will also impart Sanskrit.
“The guidelines will include penal measures in case private schools affiliated with several boards, such as ICSE and others, refuse to implement Sanskrit curriculum,” media reports quoting the secretary said.
Dehradun has several boarding schools managed by private bodies and decisions by them on this will be keenly watched by academicians. One of the international schools was quoted as saying that they will abide by the government directive, but questioned the unilateral decision of implementing Sanskrit.
“Sanskrit is our ancient and the language of Gods. We must acknowledge that this language has enriched our culture beyond measure. Our generation should know the language,” State Education Minister Arvind Pandey said.