Despite opposition, Kerala govt to go ahead with Zumba: Minister
Kozhikode: Govt is determined to proceed with its programme of conducting Zumba sessions for students before classes, despite opposition from religious outfits, said general education minister V Sivankutty on Saturday.
Addressing a news conference in Kozhikode, Sivankutty said such opposition could introduce more harmful poison into society than drugs and instead of improving the education sector, it could fuel communalism and division. He said there was opposition from certain quarters against implementing physical activities like Zumba, aerobics and yoga in state schools. It is important to understand that these activities are part of anti-drug awareness initiatives, he added.
Several Muslim organisations opposed the introduction of Zumba dance sessions in schools as part of general education department's anti-drug campaign, claiming that it undermined morality and promoted boys and girls dancing together.
Sivankutty said activities conducted in schools were light exercises and students performed in their uniforms. According to Right to Education (RTE) Act, students must participate in govt-recommended educational processes and parents didn't have a choice in the matter.
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Teachers are obligated to follow the department's directives as per conduct rules.
Addressing objections from certain groups on perceived issues with dress codes during Zumba, Sivankutty said that no one was asking students to wear scanty clothing. He pointed out that while protests and suppressions against dress codes, including hijabs, occurred in various states, progressive movements have adopted a high democratic cultural stance.
"However, some organisations here are taking positions that favour majority communalism.
In a society like Kerala, which thrives on unity, such positions only encourage majority communalism," he said.
Engaging in physical activities helps children develop mental and physical vitality, health and positive thinking, said Sivankutty. "This positively influences their studies and personal development. Therefore, it is essential to promote such healthy activities," he said.
"Govt places significant importance on physical education in Kerala, where lifestyle-related diseases are prevalent. Regular physical participation primarily aims to effectively prevent diseases, reduce mental stress, alleviate anxiety and increase happiness. It also helps develop discipline, perseverance, goal awareness, decision-making abilities, and problem-solving skills in children. Participation in games teaches about rules and etiquette and enhances qualities like honesty, fairness and respect for the law," the minister added.
He added that key components of health-related physical fitness, such as cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, are enhanced through activities like walking, jogging, running, swimming, cycling and dancing. Aerobic dance, Zumba dance, and freestyle dance are included in this category, he added. "The rhythmic and continuous movements in dance stimulate blood flow throughout the body, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to all organs and cells.
This helps prevent conditions like heart disease and lowers blood pressure. Therefore, regular engagement in long-duration physical activities, including various types of dance, is highly beneficial for improving cardiovascular and respiratory endurance," the minister said.
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