Exercising one’s franchaise is key in any election, particularly in a democracy where the government is elected by the people for the people.
The Election Commission of India’s recent decision to soon sign a pact with Education Ministry to apprise school students — from Class IX onwards — of ethical and informed voting as part of the course curriculum, has been welcomed by students, parents and educators in Delhi-NCR.
The plan
The decision to introduce the concept of ethical and informed voting in curriculum was revealed by the country’s Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar at an event on Thursday.
Asserting the need for exercising voting rights to choose the “right candidate”, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said that the curriculum would cover students from Class 9 onwards.
“They have turned 18 and have become a voter, but they are not very much aware of voting, ethos, magnitude. How to vote, whom to vote and what all considerations are to be kept in mind — that background is not ready,” he said.
“We are getting into the curriculum and as to how the ethos of democracy should be ingrained in the minds of the children,” Kumar added.
The reaction
“My ward studies in Class IX. I would like my child to definitely know about elections and the need to vote in a poll. It’s important to make an informed decision before exercising one’s franchaise. If they teach in schools what should be considered before voting for a candidate, nothing like it,” says Sunidhi, a parent of DPS Delhi student.
Students are excited to know about the plan too. They believe the decision to introduce such an important content in the course curriculum will be beneficial for the society as a whole in the long run.
“In two years, I will turn 18, and would love to know about the correct yardsticks to consider before choosing my councillor, MLA or MP. I want to apply my own analysis before voting and not get swayed away by what others say. Not a biased but informed decision,” says Nitin Rai, a Class IX student of Heritage School.
Agrees Sanjit Kumar, a student of Salwan International School in Delhi-NCR. “Voting for our future should be the aim. If we are taught right from the school level the very importance of voting and also the need to choose the right candidate to Parliament, then the country and our fellow countrymen will benefit,” he says.
Teachers are elated too. “It’s a welcome decision. We verbally tell students in our school the need to vote and choose the right candidate but to formally teach them about the same is no doubt a wonderful decision,” says Swapnil Chandran, a teacher with DPS.
