WB to recommend inclusion of lessons on Netaji’s Singapore activities in school syllabus

The West Bengal government will recommend to the syllabus committee in the state to include lessons in the school curriculum on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's initiatives when he went to Singapore, state education minister Bratya Basu has said.

According to available records, the iconic leader had gone to Singapore in July 1943 to realise his dream of an independent India and strengthen the Indian National Army.

This year is the 125th birth anniversary of Bose, and the governments in states as well as the Centre have been organising several events to pay tribute to the freedom fighter.

"Yes, the government will recommend to the syllabus committee for incorporating the events revolving around Netaji in 1943," said Basu, refusing to divulge further details.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Kunal Ghosh had recently said that the new generation in Bengal should know in detail the chronology of events related to Netaji's visit to Singapore in 1943.

"We welcome the statement of hon'ble Bratya Basu recommending to the syllabus committee the inclusion of the details regarding Netaji and his government ( in Singapore)", Ghosh tweeted on January 24.

This, he said, will be the first step towards acknowledging Netaji's mission in Singapore as an integral part of the Indian freedom movement.

Talking about the latest ‘Paray Sikhshalay’ initiative of the state government, Basu said that the programme will roll out in every block from February 7 and benefit over 60 lakh students at pre-primary and primary levels.

"We realise that a large number of students of many schools, especially in rural areas, are being deprived of classroom teaching which is impeding their growth. Our initiative will enable students to attend classes in the open space in their own locality. It has been hailed by UNESCO," he said.

A total of 50,159 schools will be involved in the project in which classes will be held in the open grounds adjacent to school buildings, the education minister said. Over two lakh teachers and 21,000 para teachers will impart lessons to children under this programme, he added.

"We are concerned about the education of children. But we cannot take any risks," said Basu, adding that chief minister Mamata Banerjee will take a call on reopening schools after consulting health experts.