SAINIK SCHOOLS

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sainik-schools-now-open-for-girls-as-well-all-you-need-to-know-101629007850805.html

Context: The Indian government collaborates with private institutions to establish 100 new schools nationwide in its expansion of the Sainik Schools program.

About Sainik Schools

• Sainik Schools were established in the 1960s under the Sainik Schools Society (SSS), which operates under the Ministry of Defence.
• Sainik Schools Society (SSS) is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 and manages Sainik Schools located in various parts of the country.
• Admission through the All India Sainik School Entrance Examination (AISSEE) at class VI and IX.
• Offer scholarships and reserved seats for SC/ST, defence personnel children, and ex-servicemen wards.
• The Union Cabinet approved a proposal in October 2021 to launch 100 new Sainik Schools under a public-private partnership model and affiliated with the Sainik Schools Society.

Selection Process

• A School Evaluation Committee, chaired by the District Magistrate and comprising Principles of nearby existing Sainik Schools or Navodaya Vidyalayas, evaluates applications.
• Criteria include physical inspection of the applicant's school and verification of credentials.
• Final recommendations are made by an Approval Committee consisting of the Joint Secretary of the SSS as chairperson, the Secretary of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), and an eminent educationist.
• Approval is provisional and subject to annual inspections by the School Inspection Committee to ensure continued compliance with standards.

Financial Assistance

The Central government provides financial support to deserving students, including:

• 50% fee support, up to ₹40,000 per annum, transferred directly to eligible students' bank accounts on a merit-cum-means basis.
• An annual training grant incentive of ₹10 lakh to schools based on the academic performance of students in Class 12.
• The direct incentive to any school is capped at ₹10 lakh per annum.

Source:

Wikipedia

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. The government recently announced a plan to set up 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with private entities. What is the selection process for these new schools? A) Direct selection by the Ministry of Defence based on proposals from private schools. B) A committee evaluation process involving government officials and education experts. C) Open bidding process where private schools with the highest financial offer are chosen. D) Selection by state governments based on their infrastructure and educational needs. Answer: B