Academics of Sainik Schools say that due to the pandemic, no offline classes were conducted for a major part of the 2021-22 academic year. Now with the resumption of online classes, schools are ready to help the cadets to test their physical and mental strength.
a routine
Col Prashant Saxena, Principal, Sainik School, Kapurthala, Punjab, says, “The regular curriculum requires all cadets to be active from 5:30 am to 10:30 pm. The daily schedule includes Morning Study, Class Study, Remedial Class, Evening Prep Study, House Study, Morning PT, Yoga, Games and NCC activities. He said that even on Sundays, students have remedial and preparatory classes along with screening of any patriotic film or video.
Col (Retd) D Choudhary, former Inspecting Officer of Sainik School (2004-07) says, “The main objective of any Sainik School is to prepare all the cadets physically. Mentally strong so as to join the National Defense Academy (NDA). Their transition should be smooth. However, to facilitate smooth transition when a new batch joins, physical training starts gradually.”
Many girls come from families active in sports and other physical activities, which prepare them for physical labor. He said that it is also the responsibility of the parents to ensure that the girls are physically fit, strong and take keen interest in physical activities.
While offline classes have resumed for the entire batch now, the emphasis is on filling the learning gaps instead of following the daily schedule. MD Rashid, Senior Teacher (Social Science), Sainik School, Tilaiya, Jharkhand says, “At present, PT classes and sports periods are being conducted at low intensity, as our top priority is to provide students with the necessary knowledge before the commencement of the examination. is to provide. ,
infrastructure in place
Most of the Sainik Schools have enough space to accommodate additional girl cadets. “At present, our total student strength is 600, which includes 10 girl cadets. We have 12 hostels, one of which was converted last year into a girls’ hostel with a lady superintendent. Now there is a plan to start the work of additional girls hostel soon.
Total student strength in Tilaiya is 843 in which 11 are girl students. “We have adequate infrastructure for their accommodation, mess facilities, PT classes and classroom study,” says Rashid.
Regarding the need for female teachers, especially for PT and exercise classes, Choudhary says, “Even before girls joined, the aim of all Sainik Schools was to maintain a healthy ratio of male and female teachers. While the matrons or housewives for girls’ hostels are exclusively women, efforts are underway to hire women PT teachers in some schools as well.