The Nicaraguan government has called for students at public and private schools to sing the national anthem daily.

Education Minister Miguel De Castilla made the announcement Monday amid commemorative activities to mark the 187th anniversary of Nicaraguan independence from Spain.

“Nicaraguan schools are responsible for these values having gone in decline, which is why today, as part of the process of education transformation that's our country is experiencing … we've set out to approve an agreement” to make singing the anthem in classrooms obligatory, De Castilla said.

The education chief warned that authorities will sanction – through an unset amount of fines – students, teachers and school administrators who fail to comply.