Kejriwal Announces ‘Deshbhakti Curriculum’ for Delhi Govt Schools

“We will bring the curriculum next year. It will inculcate a feeling of nationalism among students,” Kejriwal said.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@FromBhaskar)

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday, 14 August, announced a 'deshbhakti (patriotism) curriculum' for Delhi government schools starting from next year.

"We will bring 'Deshbhakti curriculum' next year. It will inculcate a feeling of nationalism among students," Kejriwal said at the launch of the campaign labelled 'Constitution at 70'.

Taking to Twitter, Deputy CM and Education Minister Manish Sisodia pointed out that this "curriculum will teach children to be proud of their country, take responsibility to solve the problems facing the country, and inculcate a feeling of passion among students to sacrifice for the nation."

Replying to Sisodia, Kejriwal, on Twitter, said, "We want that after completing their education, every child becomes a good person, becomes capable of providing for his/her family and becomes a true patriot."

Teachers, Principals to Build the Course; Ideas to be Crowd-Sourced

The ideas for the design of the curriculum will be crowd-sourced from across the country, and teacher and principals will build the course, Manish Sisodia said.

“They (teachers and principals) will be at the forefront of the designing of this curriculum, similar to the way the Happiness and Entrepreneurship Mindset curriculums were designed. I have directed the department to form a cell to drive this and take inputs from people across the country. I am optimistic that by the next academic year, we will be able to launch this curriculum," Sisodia was quoted as saying.

Kejriwal also tweeted saying that they would need inputs from everyone on what kind of course it should be.

An AAP member said on the condition of anonymity that the designing of the 'deshbhakti curriculum' will be wrapped by this year, while taking inputs from the people.

One being asked, which classes would follow this curriculum, an AAP member told The Quint, "As of now, there is no clarity on that, but I would assume it'll be along the same lines as the ‘Constitution at 70; programme, which is applicable to students from classes 6 to 11, excluding 10 and 12."

The announcement of this curriculum comes when the Assembly elections in Delhi are due early next year.