Sainik School Society receives overwhelming response from 230 schools for affiliation

• The decision to clear the proposal of affiliation of 100 new Sainik Schools, including both public and private, with the Sainik School Society by the central government is considered as a historic step.
• As of 22nd January 2022, a total of 230 schools from various states has registered under the Sainik Schools Society.
• The decision not only disseminates Sainik Schools’ expertise and experience to qualified private educational institutions but also promotes the unique initiative of public-private partnership.

About Sainik Schools

• These are residential schools for boys, providing Public School Education with Military bias.
• The schools are affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), New Delhi and are supported by Central and State funding.
• The scheme to establish Sainik Schools was introduced in 1961 with the primary aim of preparing boys academically, physically and mentally for entry into the National Defence Academy.
• The government took the decision to admit girl cadets in Sainik schools across India from the academic session 2021-22.

Expansion of Sainik Schools

• In October last year, the Union Cabinet approved the affiliation of 100 Schools in the Government and private sector with Sainik School Society.
• The move was kept with marching ahead in tune with National Education Policy (NEP).
• Further, it will increase the focus on value-based education enabling children to develop pride in the rich culture and heritage of this nation, effective leadership with character, discipline, sense of national duty, and patriotism.
• The combination of Raksha and Shikshain Sainik schools will play an important role in nation-building in the times to come.

Benefits of spread of Sainik schools

• Firstly, these schools will provide cost-effective ways in reaching out to larger populations across all regions in India.
• Further, the new schools will help meet the growing demand for Sainik Schools and provide effective physical, psycho-social, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and cognitive development.
• The Sainik School Society, an autonomous organisation under the Defence Ministry, will provide affiliation to interested private or government schools based on certain objective criteria related to academic and infrastructure.
• The scheme aims to provide annual fee support of 50% of fee (subject to an upper limit of ₹40,000 per annum) for 50% of the class strength (subject to an upper limit of 50 students) per year from Class 6 onwards to class 12, on merit-cum-means basis.