Schools across Kolkata prepare for Vande Mataram morning assemblies

Kolkata: State-run schools are preparing to introduce 'Vande Mataram’ in morning assemblies as schools reopen on Monday after the summer vacation. Several schools have decided to play the original version on loudspeakers to guide students during the prayer session.

Ahead of the reopening, officials of the school education dept held a meeting with school heads to brief them on several new measures expected to be introduced across schools. A key decision is the introduction of 'Vande Mataram’ in morning assemblies. The decision was announced by chief minister Suvendu Adhikari after the summer recess began. The vacation was later extended till May 31.

Dept officials instructed schools to sing all six stanzas during morning assemblies after some school heads requested that it be reduced to one or two stanzas to help students. Since the request was denied, schools are making arrangements to support students, as the song is new to many of them. The head of a prominent city school said, “All students may not find it easy to learn the song quickly. That is why we requested the dept to reconsider, but they told us to sing the entire song. So we are following the order and have instructed students to be ready for it.”

Jadavpur Vidyapith headmaster Partha Pratim Vaidya said, “We have already circulated the lyrics to students and asked them to practise. We have a proper set-up, and a teacher will sing the song on a microphone while students follow the rhythm. I hope they won’t face any difficulties.” Jodhpur Park Boys’ School headmaster Amit Sen Majumder said they have arranged a loudspeaker to play a recording and already shared the lyrics with students. “We had asked them to practise it during the summer vacation, and based on the feedback we received, most students have prepared. Still, to support them, we are keeping the loudspeaker ready,” he added.

Rishi Aurobindo Balika Vidyapith headmistress Sarbani Sen said, “We will keep the loudspeaker arrangement for at least a few days so that students can get used to the lyrics. To help them sing without errors, listening to the song regularly is important, and we want them to practise it during the prayer.”

Before the new mandate from CM Adhikari, students used to sing the state song 'Banglar Mati Banglar Jol’, introduced by the previous state govt. Of its four stanzas, the first and last were sung during prayer. Following a recent order, it has been replaced by 'Vande Mataram’. The final prayer song will remain the National Anthem.

The recent meeting with school heads also highlighted holistic child development, maintaining the teacher-student ratio, and maintaining hygiene while serving the mid-day meal.

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