Academics from Sainik schools say that due to the pandemic, no offline classes were conducted for a major part of the academic year of 2021-22. With online classes resuming now, schools are poised to help girl cadets test their physical and mental strength.
Daily schedule
Col Prashant Saxena, principal, Sainik School, Kapurthala, Punjab, says, “The regular curriculum requires all cadets to remain 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.” Even on Sundays, students have remedial and prep classes, along with the screening of any patriotic film or video, he adds.
On the preparedness of girl cadets to match up to the required regimen, Col (retd) D Choudhury, former inspecting officer, Sainik Schools (2004-07), says, “The main aim of any sainik school is to make all cadets physically and mentally strong so that their transition to National Defence Academy (NDA) is smooth. However, when a new batch joins then to facilitate smooth transition, physical training commences gradually.”
Several girls come from families active in sports and other physical activities, which prepares them for physical work. The onus is also on parents to ensure that girls are physically fit, strong and have keen interest in physical activities, he adds.
While offline classes have resumed for the entire batch now, emphasis is on filling the learning gaps rather than following the daily schedule. MD Rashid, senior teacher (Social Science), Sainik School, Tilaiya, Jharkhand, says, “Currently, PT classes and games period are being conducted at a low intensity, as our top priority is to impart required knowledge to students before exams begin.”
Infrastructure in place
Most sainik schools have enough space to accommodate the additional girl cadets. “Currently, our total student strength is 600, including 10 girl cadets. We have 12 hostels, of which one was converted into a girls’ hostel last year, with a female superintendent. Now, plans are in place to start work on an additional girls’ hostel soon,” says Saxena.
At Tilaya, the total student strength is 843, which includes 11 girl cadets. “We have adequate infrastructure for their accommodation, mess facilities, PT classes and classroom study,” says Rashid.
About the need for female teachers, especially for PT and exercise classes, Choudhary says, “Even before the induction of girl cadets, all sainik schools aimed to maintain a healthy ratio of male and female teachers. While the matron or housemistress for girls’ hostels are specifically females, efforts are ongoing at few schools to appoint female PT teachers as well.”
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