Make parents vote and get two grace marks in Civics

Pune, Apr 10 (PTI) Make parents vote and get two grace
marks -- this is the promise that authorities of a school here
in India's western state of Maharashtra have made in an effort
to prod citizens to exercise their right to franchise.

"The grace marks will be added to the final score in
the internal exam of the students in Civics subject who submit
a written note from their parents affirming that they had
excercised their franchise," Shivraj Pimpurde, principal of
'Gurukul' day school run by the reputed 'Dnyanprabodhini'
educational trust here, told PTI Friday.

The school affiliated to CBSE has 106 students
studying in fifth to tenth standards.

Pimpurde said he thought of this symbolic gesture to
create awareness among a large number of educated citizens who
do not vote.

The school has displayed a sign board saying " To vote
is a national religion".

The principal said he had also contacted 25 schools in
Maharashtra urging them to use moral pressure of students to
enthuse eligible voters in their families to emphasise
democratic rights and obligations. PTI HBJ
PMR
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