Yoga made compulsory in Kendrapara schools.

The primary education department plans to introduce yoga as a compulsory subject in the curriculum of primary schools from the coming academic session in Kendrapara district.The yoga programme is expected to have a positive impact on childhood obesity, improved self-esteem and confidence and educational attainment. Yoga has been chosen because of its unique appeal to children, and primary schools are seen as an ideal place to implement the programme, said Project Coordinator of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Sanatan Mallick.
If kids have a problem with other sports and they don't play football and netball, they are left out. But in yoga, they are able to do it, they are able to get involved in and do the postures and we see to their confidence-building," he said.In order to introduce yoga at the primary school level, the department has started the preliminary works. Necessary steps are being taken to introduce yoga as a compulsory subject in 1,861 primary schools in the district.The department has planned to provide yoga training to a teacher of each school which will begin in the first week of April.If it comes in reality, Kendrapara district will be the first in the State to introduce yoga in the primary school syllabus.