Guj govt in dock over 'Jai Hind' roll call; Opp asks it improve edu quality

The BJP-led Gujarat government has come under fire for asking schools to ensure that students respond with 'Jai Hind' or 'Jai Bharat' during roll call instead of the customary 'Yes Sir', with the Opposition arguing the move will "not change the quality of education".

While state Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama Tuesday said the step would "instill a feeling of patriotism", the opposition Congress asked the government to improve the "deteriorating quality of education".

Criticising the state government, Gujarat Congress unit president Amit Chavda said the new practice will not change the quality of education in state-run and affiliated schools.

According to a notification issued on Monday by the Directorate of Primary Education and Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB), students of class 1-12 of the government, grant-in-aid and self-financed schools will have to respond to the attendance call with