AGARTALA: The School Education Department has issued a directive making it mandatory for all schools in the state to sing the national song “Vande Mataram” alongside the national anthem, according to the notification.
The directive, reportedly issued to educational institutions across the state, requires students to sing “Vande Mataram” in addition to the national anthem as part of daily school assembly proceedings, sources said.
The move comes amid a broader push in several states to promote patriotic songs and symbols in educational institutions. While the exact date of implementation and the specific schools covered under the directive were not immediately available, officials said the order applies uniformly across state-run and possibly private educational institutions.
The department has not yet clarified whether the directive includes penalties for non-compliance or whether it applies to all grade levels. Reactions from teachers’ associations, student bodies, and opposition parties are awaited.