The Ahmedabad-based Gujarat Education Board of Catholic Institutions has written to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel requesting the State Government to include the teachings and principles of all holy books within the school curriculum according to the National Education Policy 2020.
Gujarat Education Minister Jitubhai Vaghani had on Thursday announced on the floor of the State Assembly that Bhagvad Gita would be taught in schools as part of education in Indian Knowledge Systems for students to understand its shlokas and teachings.
In his letter, Father Teles Fernandes, secretary of Gujarat Education Board of Catholic Institutions, thanked the State Government for including English as a language in the curriculum from standard 1.
Father Fernandes added that, “Bhagwad Gita will be taught in Gujarat Government schools from classes 6 to 12 starting in 2022-23. While the introduction of this book is not an issue in itself, being a country with a multitude of religions, the impressionistic minds of our children must be influenced by this book.”
However, he insisted that in India, we must create an inclusive society, where everyone has the freedom to follow their values, way of life, customs, traditions, beliefs, and appreciates the beliefs of others. “India has always welcomed people from all cultures and religions with open arms, and they have contributed much to society as a whole,” he said. Father Fernandes added that teachings from other scriptures should also be taught in schools.
