The ministry said more than 500 applications have been received and examined.
New Delhi:
The Defense Ministry on Wednesday quashed reports claiming that the new Sainik Schools were allocated to institutions based on their political or ideological preferences.
Online media platform ‘The Reporters’ Collective’ claimed in a report that the government handed over 62 percent of the new Sainik schools to people associated with Sangh Parivar, politicians of the BJP and its allies.
“Articles have appeared in certain sections of the press insinuating that new Sainik schools are being allocated to institutions based on their political or ideological preferences. Such insinuations are baseless,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
It said a rigorous selection process was being followed to finalize the institutions that could run the new Sainik schools.
“The plan for new Sainik schools has been well thought out. The selection process itself is rigorous, checks and balances are in place to ensure continued adherence to the objectives and there are strong incentives to provide financial support to deserving students,” the ministry said. said.
“The political or ideological affiliation or otherwise of the applicant institution has no influence on the selection process,” the report said.
“Attempts to politicize or distort the objectives and implementation of the plan by criticizing it are baseless and misleading,” the ministry added.
In the first phase, the government has taken initiative to set up 100 new Sainik schools across the country in collaboration with NGOs, state governments and private sector active in the education sector.
The ministry said more than 500 applications have been received and examined.
“So far, approval has been given to 45 schools. This includes both existing schools and schools proposed to be built,” the report said.
“The approval to these schools is granted on a provisional basis. The continuation of the approval is based on annual inspection by the School Inspection Committee. Therefore, the plan provides for continued compliance with the achievement of the identified standards,” the report said.
In October 2021, the Union Cabinet approved the affiliation of 100 schools in government and private sectors into the Sainik School Society under the Ministry of Defense.
The ministry said a strict evaluation process was followed to scrutinize the applicants.
Explaining the process, it said a school evaluation committee had been constituted comprising the concerned District Magistrate as chairman and principals of nearby existing Sainik Schools/Navodaya Vidyalayas.
“Physical inspection of the applicant school and verification of credentials is done according to established criteria,” the report said.
“An approval committee, comprising the Joint Secretary (Sainik Schools Society) as chairman, CBSE secretary and an eminent educationist as members, will formulate the final recommendations,” the ministry said.
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