School curriculum to include state’s history, culture

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 11

To hone the creative skills of students and connect them with the culture of Punjab, several activities will be made part of the syllabus at primary and high school level, besides conducting excursions to historical places.

The subject of Punjab’s history and culture will also be taught practically to the students. Eminent personalities will interact with students through EDUSAT.

The decisions were taken at meeting of the Education Department and Cultural Affairs Department, attended by Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and Education Minister Aruna Chaudhary.

It was also decided that a circuit would be formed for conducting historical and cultural tours of schoolchildren.

Other suggestions included improvement in the quality of textbooks, encouraging Punjabi speaking in schools, initiating a “Virsa Sambhal Punjabia” movement, aimed at taking pride in Punjabi culture, and restructuring the languages department for giving a fillip to cultural activities.

A five-member committee comprising Additional Chief Secretary (Higher Education) SK Sandhu, Punjab Kala Parishad Chairman Dr Surjit Patar, Punjab School Education Board Chairman Manohar Kant Kalohia, Punjabi University Vice Chancellor Prof BS Ghuman, and Guru Nanak Dev University Vice Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh Sandhu has been formed to prepare a draft based on the suggestions received. The panel will submit its report in three weeks.