The Jammu & Kashmir administration has mandated that schools throughout the Union territory conduct a morning assembly lasting 20 minutes, commencing with the national anthem, a powerful symbol of our nation’s unity and strength, aiming to foster a strong sense of national pride and identity.
Modi Govt via J&K administration directs schools across the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to start morning assemblies with the National Anthem pic.twitter.com/0FVZ8xguEB
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On June 12, the order issued by the School Education Department emphasised that the morning school assembly is considered a significant tradition and is not consistently observed in various schools across the UT.
Principal Secretary to the Jammu & Kashmir Government Arun Kumar issued the following order: “To maintain uniformity, it is important for all the stakeholders to conduct morning assemblies henceforth across the respective schools…Morning assembly shall be of 20 minutes and begin with the national anthem as per standard protocol”.
In a circular issued by the School Education Department, the schools were also directed to give awareness and motivational talks as mandated by the National Education Policy 2020 to inculcate leadership qualities and upgrade students’ skills.
“Three to four students/teachers shall compulsorily give awareness/motivational talk on freedom fighters, guided mindfulness exercises, discussions on mental well-being, drug menace, stress management, environmental awareness, cultural celebrations and sharing information about community service projects,” the order read.
There are 18,723 Government schools in the Union Territory, including 8,966 primary schools, 7,228 upper primary schools, 1,741 high schools, and 788 higher secondary schools.
With the beginning of militancy in Kashmir in the 1990s, there was a significant decline in the singing of the national anthem in the valley as part of the morning assemblies in schools.
