The first-of-its-kind Sainik School batch in the public-private partnership (PPP) mode in the State will be formally opened at Bharatiya Vidya Niketan-run Veda Vyasa Vidyalaya, Kozhikode, on Saturday.
It is the second Sainik School in the State after the one directly functioning under the Sainik Schools Society at Kazhakkoottam in Thiruvananthapuram. The primary aim of such schools is to prepare students for a stint in the armed forces.
According to the Defence Ministry, 100 such schools are being set up under the PPP mode in various States and Union Territories. Memorandums of Understanding have been signed with State government schools, private schools, and non-governmental organizations. The necessary infrastructure, faculty, and other requirements are met by those who are running the school. The Union government is not allocating any funds. However, annual support on merit-cum-means basis of up to 50% fee, subject to an upper limit of ₹40,000 per student per year for up to 50% of class strength, subject to an upper limit of 50 students per class per year, will be provided by the Centre through the Sainik Schools Society.
M. Jyotheesan, principal, of Veda Vyasa Vidyalaya, said that Ajay Bhatt, Union Minister of State for Defence, would participate in the inaugural ceremony to be held on the school premises at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Kozhikode Mayor Beena Philip, among others, would attend the event.
The school was affiliated with the Sainik School Society under the Defence Ministry last year. The first batch began functioning on September 26, 2022, with 50 students from various States.