National anthem singing made mandatory in UP schools

Students in primary schools of Uttar Pradesh will now have to sing the national anthem --Jana Gana Mana...-- everyday.

According to a state government directive, the singing of the national anthem, written by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, has been made mandatory in basic education schools.

Also, in the new academic calendar for the new session, issued by secretary (Basic Education), it has also been said that on every Wednesday, schools will have to observe 'swachhata diwas' (Cleanliness Day).

The primary schools will run for 200 days in a year while the higher secondary schools will function for 220 days, the directive says.

A sports period has also been made mandatory for the first four working days, while Scout and Guide programme would be undertaken on the two remaining weekdays.

An official told IANS that the state government also aims at promoting other extra-curricular activities like debates, painting, antakshari and others.