EducationPolicy – West Bengal Schools Directed to Begin Assemblies With Vande Mataram

EducationPolicy – The West Bengal government has issued a fresh directive making the singing of Vande Mataram compulsory in morning assemblies across all state-run and state-aided schools. The order, circulated by the School Education Department, came into effect immediately and requires every student to participate before classroom activities begin.

Government Issues Immediate Instruction

According to the official communication sent to heads of educational institutions on May 13, schools have been told to ensure that the national song is sung daily during assembly prayers. Authorities have also been directed to monitor implementation carefully and maintain proper compliance records.

The instruction was issued by the Director of Education, who stated that the singing of Vande Mataram should become a mandatory part of the school routine throughout the state. School administrators have been asked to make certain that students take part collectively during the assembly session each morning.

Schools Asked to Maintain Records

Officials from the education department confirmed that institutions may also be required to document the process through photographs or video recordings as evidence that the order is being followed. The recordings are expected to help authorities review compliance across schools under the state education system.

An official associated with the department said the song would be performed at the start of the assembly period before regular academic sessions commence. The move has already prompted schools to begin preparations ahead of reopening after the summer vacation.

Link to National Honour Discussions

The state government’s decision comes shortly after the Union government began considering stronger legal provisions related to respect for national symbols. Discussions at the national level have included proposals to amend the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. One of the suggested changes includes making obstruction during the singing of Vande Mataram a punishable offence.

The latest directive in West Bengal is being viewed by many observers as part of a wider emphasis on promoting awareness and participation in national symbols within educational institutions.

Changes in School Assembly Traditions

For many years, most schools in West Bengal traditionally limited assembly performances to the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, written by Rabindranath Tagore. In later years, the state government also introduced Banglar Mati Banglar Jol as the state song during school functions and ceremonies.

Now, the addition of Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, is expected to alter the structure of school assemblies in several institutions. Some teachers and education representatives have raised practical questions regarding the time required to accommodate multiple songs during the morning schedule.

School Authorities Begin Preparations

Subhrojit Dutta, headmaster of Hindu School, said students would sing both the national anthem and the national song once classes resume after the vacation period. He noted that pupils had already been informed about the historical background and importance of Vande Mataram during events marking its 150th year.

According to him, students were earlier encouraged to learn and memorise the lyrics at home even before the latest notification was officially released. Schools are now expected to integrate the new instruction into daily assembly routines without disrupting academic schedules.

Teachers Seek Operational Clarity

Meanwhile, representatives from a Left-backed teachers’ organisation said additional clarification from the government would be helpful. Questions remain over whether all songs must be performed every day and how schools should organise the sequence within limited assembly durations.

Education observers believe the implementation process may vary from school to school depending on available time and administrative arrangements. Despite those concerns, institutions have been instructed to begin compliance immediately under the new state directive.