AIM
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 and other Defence Academies.
OTHER OBJECTIVES
(a) To remove the regional imbalances in the Officer Cadre of the Defense Services.
(b) To develop qualities of body, mind and character which will enable the young boys of today to become good and useful citizens of tomorrow and excel in all walks of life.
(c) To bring Public School education within the reach of the common man.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The first decade after independence was a traumatic one. The wounds of partition, communal holocaust, resettlement of millions of refugees, integration of the five hundred and odd native states, the clamour of linguistic reorganization – these were but a few of the daunting problems. The compulsive hostility of Pakistan, souring of the once friendly ties with China, turbulence in the North-East and a vast coastline highlighted the necessity of a nationally representative, sizeable and well-equipped Army, Navy and Air-Force.
Prior to the Government of India Act of 1935 and the acute demands of World War II, the officer cadre of our armed forces was not open to our countrymen. Rare exceptions were granted to the scions of royalty and blue blood. Analysis of then existing officer cadre revealed a disturbing trend. It remained a monopoly of the so-called martial races and regions and alumni of the highly expensive and elitist public schools beyond the reach of all but a few. In short, our defence forces lacked a truly all-India image, character and ethos. The Indian Military Academy was in existence, therefore the setting up of the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakvasla was but a logical step. The high levels of physical, mental and intellectual attainments needed for induction into the officer cadre could not be nurtured in the common schools mainly because of the lack of infrastructural facilities. A laissez-faire policy to leave it to the already existing, posh public schools would have been grossly unfair to the bright young children all over the country, for whom education in a public school was nothing but a dream. All these reasons prompted the then Defence Minister Shri V K Krishna Menon to envisage a chain of Sainik Schools with at least one in each State to serve as feeders to the NDA. Further, they would act as role models and influence other schools by their example and performance towards a paradigm shift in objectives of school education, as in the pre-independence years and to some extent even today, our education system is syllabus-examination oriented and not aimed at all-round development and enhancement of competitive skills.
Click: Sanik School Society |
