THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Sate Government will address the urgent needs of Sainik School Kazhakoottam including maintenance of the existing building, construction of new hostel, minimising the gap between government scholarship and fees and increasing food allowance of students, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. He was speaking as the Chief Guest of the Grand Finale of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Sainik School, Kazhakoottam, on Saturday. “The government scholarship is only one third of the fees and the food allowance is Rs 35 per student. The government will bring the issues for the immediate consideration before the departments concerned,” said Chandy. Minister of State for Defence and Chairman, Board of Governors, Sainik School Society, M M Pallam Raju, who also spoke on the occasion, said that the role of Sainik Schools in removing regional imbalances in the officer cadre of armed forces was noteworthy as well as praise worthy.
“Efforts are on to open new schools in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa and the government is considering setting up schools in Sikkim and Mizoram with the idea of at least one Sainik School in each state. Government is trying to reduce the financial burden of the parents of Sainik School students. The financial assistance provided, under the sharing of the burden scheme extended to all Sainik School cadets, has been raised from Rs 10.54 crores to Rs 20.68 crores,” said Pallam Raju.
Air Marshal S P Singh, Post Master General, Kerala Circle, Sobha Koshy, among others also spoke. There was an scintillating performance by the ‘dare devils’ of Army and ‘air devils’ of Air Force which took the viewers to moments of extreme excitement.