New Delhi: All-boys Sainik Schools will soon have girl students as Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday approved a proposal for admissions of girls from 2021-22 academic session in a phased manner.
The decision has been taken following the success of the pilot project started by the Ministry of Defence for admission of girl children in Sainik School Chhingchhip in Mizoram two years ago, official sources said.
Rajnath Singh has directed concerned authorities to ensure availability of necessary infrastructure and sufficient female staff in Sainik schools for smooth implementation of the directive.
The decision is in line with the objective of the Government towards greater inclusiveness, gender equality, enabling greater participation of women in Armed Forces and strengthening the motto of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’, propagated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
There are 33 Sainik Schools across the country. Sainik School had opened admission to girl students in 2017, with the induction of six girls, in accordance with the pilot project undertaken by the Central government.
The schools have traditionally been seen as a male bastion. Admitting girls to Sainik Schools is perceived as a first step towards inducting women cadets into the National Defence Academy.