It was a day they would cherish forever. On Saturday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan felicitated students who took part in the Student Police Cadet (SPC) scheme in the 2014-16 period and secured A+ in all subjects in the SSLC and Plus Two examinations.
The Chief Minister inaugurated Mikavu-2017, organised against the backdrop of the SPC scheme entering its eighth year.
Mr. Vijayan lauded the students for not only discharging all their responsibilities as SPCs, but also putting up a great show in academics.
The SPC project, a contribution of the State police to the country, had helped bring in many changes in the policing mechanism as well as in the education sector. Many States were emulating Kerala’s example and planning to implement it.
It was a matter of pride that the Union Home Ministry had decided to expand the programme, and the launch would be held in Haryana at the end of the month, he said.
574 schools
In Kerala, the SPC was being launched in 48 more schools, taking the total number to 574.
Besides physical and mental development, the project also helped develop their personality. Significantly, the students grew up to be disciplined and with a sense of responsibility towards society and country.
Education, he underlined, was not limited to textbooks. Its goal was complete development of the students’ personality, besides nurturing a generation that could play a crucial link in safeguarding values such as democracy and secularism.
Concern for others and problem-solving abilities were also necessary qualities. The SPC, he said, had helped nurture these in students. K. Muraleedharan, MLA, said it was good that the SPC project was going from strength to strength.
It helped inculcate a sense of unity, irrespective of region, caste, or racial differences. It also helped teach the importance of service to others.
State Police Chief Loknath Behera said the Union government’s decision to extend the project nationwide was a credit for the State.
