Mumbai: Students from government-run schools across Maharashtra will soon begin receiving basic military education starting from Class 1, said School Education Minister Dada Bhuse Monday while speaking at a public event in Nashik. The idea is to instil patriotism and discipline among students from a young age, along with encouraging a mindset of nation first”.
The government plans to rope in over 2.5 lakh ex-servicemen across Maharashtra for this purpose, apart from National Cadet Corps (NCC) instructors, Scouts and Guides trainers, and trained physical education teachers. A formal policy announcement is soon expected.
The Department of School Education will collaborate with the Ministry of Ex-servicemen Welfare in Maharashtra to effectively conduct such training in schools. According to officials from the department, Bhuse held a meeting a few days ago with Shambhuraj Desai, Minister of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, where it was decided that the latter would submit a proposal on how such training can be imparted in schools with voluntary support from ex-servicemen.
The official said, “If required, this will include retired home guards and also trained physical education teachers. Such targeted training will include a maximum of one hour dedicated to various physical activities and outdoor games on Happy Saturdays already being celebrated in schools.” The official also highlighted that such mandatory physical activity sessions will help keep students active at a time when many are spending long hours on screens.
In his talk in Nashik on Monday, Bhuse stated that a recent study tour of 48 zilla parishad school teachers to Singapore, where they observed the integration of national loyalty and discipline into the curriculum, worked as an inspiration behind this initiative.
However, the announcement has sparked concerns among teachers who are questioning the feasibility of the plan without adequate logistical support. Many teachers have raised concerns over the declining presence of physical education teachers in government-run schools.
“Instead of addressing these existing gaps, which are affecting the delivery of physical education, a new initiative is being introduced,” said a teacher. While questioning the age appropriateness of starting military training in Class 1 schools, another teacher said, “These young students are unaware of the concept of nation, to be able to further encourage a ‘nation first’ mindset among them.”
