State may introduce Vedic maths in schools from next session
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 21
Haryana has become the first Indian state to work towards formalising the instruction of Vedic mathematics at the school level. The state plans to introduce the ancient system at the school level from the next academic session and has trained 1,500 teachers across districts to lead the effort.
Haryana State Council of Education Research and Training in association with the RSS-affiliated Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas conducted the training workshop earlier this month with 70 master trainers leading the exercise.
The training assumes significance as a precursor to Haryana’s aim of first introducing Vedic math activities at the high school level alongside conventional CBSE maths curriculum and later considering its formal inclusion in schools from 2021.
Speaking to The Tribune today, Atul Kothari, National Secretary of Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, said the nyas has recommended formalisation of Vedic mathematics from school up to the university level as part of deliberations for the new National Education Policy (NEP).
“We are awaiting the final policy to see if the recommendation has been accepted. Vedic mathematics is an ancient knowledge system which makes learning of maths enjoyable and easy. Most students find mathematics tough to grasp. Vedic mathematics makes the learning experience pleasurable. We have long been working to encourage the system to ensure students love maths instead of hating it,” Kothari says. The nyas, headed by Dina Nath Batra, former chief of RSS’ student wing Vidya Bharti, has kept Vedic math syllabus for classes I to XII ready should NEP formalise the system. The RSS affiliate has also signed memoranda of understanding with 11 universities across India — including five state universities in Haryana — to award six-month certificate courses in Vedic mathematics.
Haryana leads India in the number of MoUs signed at the university level to promote Vedic math instruction.
Kailash Vishwakarma, Vedic math curriculum developer and expert at the nyas, today said most coaching centres across India were using Vedic math techniques to crack problems. “We see that the majority of student suicides happen due to failures in maths. The reason is the staid manner of instruction which can be overwhelming. Vedic mathematics is an enjoyable medium that offers quick and accurate problem-solving techniques,” he says.
Conference from today
- Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani, and Shiksha Sanskriti Uthan are hosting a three-day international Vedic mathematics conference in the capital starting Sunday
- Haryana Education Minister Kanwar Pal will be the chief guest. There will be 300 delegates in the event, including those from the US, UK and Nepal, said university VC Prof RK Mittal. Shankaracharya of Puri Math Swami Nischalananda, who has authored 13 books on Vedic maths, will be present at the inauguration of the conference
