Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed hope that setting up of 100 new Sainik schools will provide an opportunity to girls to join the Armed Forces and contribute to national security. Chairing a webinar on Sainik Schools, he said, the Government believes inincreasing the role of women in the Armed Forces.
He recalled that a series of steps have been taken in that direction, including clearing the way for admission of girls in Sainik Schools and providing Permanent Commission to women officers. He exuded confidence that the decision to establish new Sainik schools will encourage girls to realise their dreams of serving the country.
He has described the announcement of expansion of Sainik Schools as one of the many important decisions taken by the government in the last six-seven years to improve the quality of basic education of children and ensure holistic development of the country.
He hoped that the amalgamation of Raksha and Shikshain Sainik schools will play an important role in nation-building in the times to come. He stated that while ‘Sainik’ signifies unity, discipline and devotion, ‘School’ is the centre of education, therefore, Sainik schools are playing a pivotal role in making children capable citizens.
Rajnath Singh added that the Government is focussing on providing quality education to the youth of the country as it lays a solid foundation for the all-round development of society.
“Quality education is the fourth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations. There are several other goals under ‘quality education’. It has been our strong political commitment to achieve these goals. Several schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan are being run. Setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools is another important step in that direction,” he added.
Rajnath Singh suggested that the Department of Defence and Sainik School Society devise a mechanism for ranking all Sainik schools on the basis of their performance and audit. This, he said, will lead to a healthy competition among the schools, besides providing encouragement to try different innovations.
He said, along with the curriculum, children should be exposed to patriotism and loyalty towards the Nation as it will help in building their character and benefit the country.
