The Uttarakhand government has taken a significant step towards fostering patriotism and awareness about India’s military heritage by incorporating the Indian Military Academy (IMA) into the school curriculum. The IMA, located in Dehradun, is one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious military training institutes.
This decision is part of the newly drafted State Curriculum Framework (SCF) prepared by the State Council of Research and Training (SCERT). The draft makes it mandatory for government schools to include the study of IMA in their syllabus. The recommendation, once approved by the state government, will be implemented in schools across Uttarakhand.
Promoting Patriotism and Respect for the Military
According to the SCF draft, learning about the IMA will instill a sense of patriotism among students and provide insights into the evolution of modern military training in India. The curriculum aims to foster respect for the Indian military, its traditions, and the valor and sacrifices of its officers at an early stage in students’ lives.
Encouraging Educational Visits to Prestigious Institutes
The SCF also recommends organizing school visits to the IMA and other renowned scientific and research institutions in Uttarakhand. These include the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) in Nainital, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), the Forest Research Institute (FRI), and IIT Roorkee, among others. Such initiatives aim to expose students to cutting-edge research and inspire them to pursue careers in science, technology, and defence.
Expanding Education Scope in Government Schools
This initiative follows another major reform by SCERT, which increased the number of subjects in the 10th-grade curriculum of Uttarakhand State Education Board (USEB) schools from five to ten. The SCF underscores the importance of a well-rounded education by integrating topics that highlight the contributions of Indian scientists and researchers from Uttarakhand, along with military education.
Enhancing Quality Education
The SCF emphasizes leveraging Uttarakhand’s rich resources, including its prestigious institutions and historical significance, to deliver quality education. By including the IMA and other research institutes in the syllabus, the framework aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of India’s scientific, cultural, and military achievements.
This progressive move by the Uttarakhand government is expected to enrich the educational experience for students while nurturing a sense of pride in the nation’s heritage and achievements.
