SC notice on plea for compulsory moral science in schools

The Supreme Court Monday issued notice to the central government on a plea seeking teaching of moral science as a compulsory subject in the syllabus from first standard to senior secondary level to inculcate moral values.

A bench of Chief Justice H.L.Dattu and Justice A.K.Sikri issued notice as lawyer Santosh Singh, appearing in person, urged the court to direct the government and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to elucidate the role assigned by it to moral science at all level of school education in its National Education Policy.

Court also issued notice to the CBSE.

Singh said that she was "deeply distressed with the present moral degradation" and sought the help of the court to "rejuvenate the ethics of the country to its pristine glory".

She said that she firmly believes that "the society needs a value based moral education system by humanising the education and making students global citizens with universal values".

Seeking a revamp of the school curriculum to include spiritual knowledge, the petitioner said that students needs to be shielded from falling prey to the mad race for material gains, forgetting their cherished values in their day to day life.