Hisar, January 23
The hoisting of the National Flag in educational institutions on Republic Day and Independence Day is proving counterproductive. With the exception of Sainik and Army schools, most of the other schools and colleges continue to violate the model set of instructions prescribed in the National Flag Code for such institutions.
The most glaring mistakes being made on such occasions include leaving the flag staff exposed on two sides by assembling the students randomly in front of the staff whereas the instructions are that the students stand in open square formation on three sides with the flag staff in the centre of the fourth side. Besides, the students, who are required to stand in attention in formations, are prompted to clap as the flag is unfurled instead of saluting it. Most institutions do not even administer the desired pledge to the students on such occasions.
Inquiries made by The Tribune revealed that the heads of educational institutions are completely unaware of the set of instructions for schools and colleges given in Section II of the National Flag Code. It was found that no government department had cared to circulate a copy of the code or the set of instructions to these institutions. Even the teachers in charge of NCC units in schools and colleges are ignorant of these. However, Sainik and Army schools follow the instructions because of their proximity to the armed forces.
The code further says that the headmaster/principal, the pupil leader and the person unfurling the flag (if other than the headmaster) will stand three paces behind the flag staff.
It says that the pupils will fall in according to classes in squads of 10 or other numbers in accordance with its strength. These squads will be arranged one behind the other. The pupil leader of the class will stand to the right of the first row of his class and the form master will stand three paces behind the last row of his class, towards the middle. The classes will be arranged along the square in the order of seniority with the
seniormost class at the right end.
According to the instructions, the distance between each row should be at least one pace (30 inches), and the space between form and form should be the same. When each form or class is ready the class leader will step forward and salute the selected school pupil leader. As soon as all forms are ready the school pupil leader will step up to the headmaster and salute him. The headmaster will return the salute. Then the flag will be unfurled. The school pupil leader may assist.
The school pupil leader in charge of the parade (or assembly) will call the parade to attention, just before the unfurling, and he/she will call them to the salute when the flag gets unfurled. The parade will continue to salute the flag for a brief interval and then on the command order it will return to the attention position. The flag salutation will be followed by the National Anthem. The parade will be kept at the attention during this part of the function.
On all occasions the pledge will follow the National Anthem. When taking the pledge the assembly will stand to attention and the headmaster will administer the pledge ceremoniously. The assembly will repeat it after him.
In pledging allegiance to the National Flag the practice to be adopted in schools is that the students standing with folded hands, repeat together the following pledge: “I pledge allegiance to the National Flag and to the sovereign socialist secular democratic republic for which it stands.”
Official sources hinted that institutions ignoring these instructions now onwards will evoke stern action. However, institution heads said they needed help of the police or the Army to learn the procedures.
