Speaking to reporters today, CAG representative Cyril Fernandes said the move places an avoidable burden on teachers, students, and non-teaching staff, who traditionally use Sundays as their weekly day of rest.
"It is unfair for the teaching community, students, and school staff to be asked to attend a programme on a Sunday," Fernandes said.
While acknowledging the importance of yoga and its role in promoting health, Fernandes argued that the observance need not be tied exclusively to June 21.
"Yoga is related to health, and health is an everyday issue for all of us. There is no requirement that it should be celebrated only on International Yoga Day," he said.
Fernandes questioned the need for teachers and students to travel to schools early in the morning on a holiday, particularly when the activity could be organised during regular school hours on a weekday.
He also expressed concern that special schools had been included in the circular.
"Sunday should remain a day of rest. Rest itself is important for physical and mental well-being," he said, urging the department to withdraw the directive and schedule the programme on a working day instead.
The association has called on the Director of Education, Shailesh Zingde, to review the decision and issue revised instructions to schools.
