New Delhi: Students would soon get aptitude certificates in place of character certificates at the end of schooling, reflecting their overall personality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said.
Stating that character certificates are even awarded to jail inmates, the PM said the aptitude certificate would contain peer reviews in the areas of discipline, punctuality and friendliness that would eventually help the student to correct himself.
"I have asked the department (HRD Ministry) to give aptitude certificates. We will develop a software and in every three months, friends would be asked whether the student is disciplined or not, is punctual and friendly.
"Parents and teachers would also be asked and the information collected from all corners will help the student to correct himself," the PM said interacting with students on the eve of Teachers' Day here.
"I am trying to bring a small change. It will happen in coming days," he said, adding the move will help a student evaluate himself and decide for himself about his future and his preferences in life.
Modi favoured an environment where the children has the freedom to decide what to do and realise their potential.
Noting that parents often force their children to do what they could not achieve in their life, Modi said such pressure has left children to only think about degrees and jobs.
Replying to questions from students from across the country at the Manekshaw auditorium here, he encouraged students to develop an inquisitive mind and not to get deterred by failures in life.
He said the international yoga day event has give a new recognition to India which needs to be "sustained".
"It has never happened earlier when 100 countries have passed resolution on yoga and 177 countries were co-sponsors in the United Nations. This shows the importance of yoga. The world was aware of yoga's strength which perhaps India was even not aware of," he said.
Replying to critics who had raised question about selecting June 21 to celebrate the yoga day, he said the day was picked up as it is the longest day of the year getting maximum sunlight.
Yoga, he said, inculcates the habit of developing patience and revitalised the energy within.
