Representative imge. | The Opposition Congress has described it as an attempt to impose the RSS agenda in educational institutions.The School Education Department informed all District Education Officers (DEOs) on June 12, that recitals will be mandatory, beginning with the 2026-27 academic session that commenced on Tuesday (June 16, 2026). Under the new guidelines, the morning assembly would include the national anthem, national song, Deep Mantra, Saraswati Vandana, Guru Mantra and excerpts from the biographies of great personalities.The official added that during the mid-day meal, students would recite a food prayer (Bhojan Mantra), while the closing session at the end of the school day will include the state song, Gayatri Mantra and Shanti Mantra.Foster patriotismThe initiative intends to “foster patriotism, discipline, moral values and cultural awareness among students while strengthening their connection with Indian traditions and national ideals”.Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Tuesday (June 16) that the State Government is committed to “integrating Indian culture, traditions and spiritual values with modern education”.The government has also directed the DEOs to ensure strict implementation of the order. Officials will conduct inspections of schools, and administrative action may be taken against school managements or principals found violating the prescribed guidelines, according to officials.Against charter?The Congress has demanded a withdrawal of the move and questioned its constitutional validity in a secular country.“Recitation of the national anthem, national song and state song is appropriate. But why have the Gayatri Mantra, Deep Mantra, Saraswati Mantra and Bhojan Mantra been made mandatory? The government appears determined to turn schools into Saraswati Shishu Mandirs. Imposing the RSS agenda in government schools is wrong,” Congress spokesperson Sushil Anand Shukla said.Mr. Shukla said that students of all faiths, castes and communities study in government schools and making the recitation of specific religious mantras compulsory could hurt the sentiments of people belonging to other faiths.India is a secular country and our Constitution guarantees equal respect for all religions. Education in government schools should not be based on any particular religion, he added.India’s education system, he asserted, had traditionally treated all faiths equally and warned that mandatory recitation of Hindu religious mantras in government schools could lead members of other communities to demand the inclusion of verses from the Quran, Gurbani or the Bible. Published - June 16, 2026 10:58 pm IST
Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar having breakfast with school children after inaugurating the Breakfast Scheme for students at Raj Bhavan Government High School in Hyderabad on Monday. | Students returned to classrooms as government, aided and private educational institutions resumed regular academic activities.The School Education department had originally planned to reopen schools on June 12. However, the reopening was postponed to June 15 following representations from stakeholders. Officials stated that the revised schedule would provide a smoother transition into the new academic year, as June 13 and 14 fell on a weekend.Schools made extensive preparations ahead of the reopening. Authorities ensured that classrooms, drinking water facilities, sanitation systems and other essential infrastructure were ready to receive students. Teachers and administrative staff also completed necessary academic and administrative arrangements before commencement of classes.The reopening witnessed enthusiastic participation from students. Parents accompanied younger children to schools, while educational institutions welcomed students with orientation activities and introductory sessions. The schools were decorated vibrantly with rangoli, balloons and paper craft.In Hyderabad, Minister for Transport and Backward Classes Ponnam Prabhakar launched the Breakfast & Milk scheme for students at Raj Bhavan Government High School.The scheme is being taken up for 29 lakh students in government schools across the State. He said that the aim of the breakfast scheme is to prevent hunger among students, reduce malnutrition, support healthy growth, increase school attendance, reduce dropouts, improve student concentration and academic talent. The government has earmarked ₹740 crore for the scheme and covers students from pre-primary 1 through Class XII. Starting this academic year, the government has also started pre-primary education.The weekly menu offers a variety of breakfast items. Monday includes dosa with chutney or chapati with curry and milk; Tuesday — millet idlis with ragi java and sambar; Wednesday — puris with aloo kurma and milk; Thursday — millet idlis with sambar and ragi java; Friday — millet upma or pongal with chutney and milk; and Saturday — bondas with chutney and ragi java.In the initial phase, out of the total of 672 government schools in Hyderabad district, 45 schools have been selected and out of the total of 93,501 students, 12,437 students will be provided breakfast with milk. Published - June 15, 2026 08:55 pm IST
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