In yet another initiative to help fight crime against women, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to impart judo and karate training to girl students in the State.
An official order issued by the Secondary Education Department states that from the next academic session, training of these two martial arts would be made mandatory in all schools.
Over a lakh girl students, mainly studying in government and government-aided schools, would have to undergo self-defence training in judo and karate.
Principal Secretary (Secondary Education) Manoj Kumar Singh has directed all district education officials to promote self-defence among school girls.
The State government would also ask private schools and colleges to undertake similar initiative, sources added.
The move comes after Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav recently gave instructions to the Education Department to introduce ways so that girls could defend themselves.
Recently, Mr. Yadav introduced a women’s helpline to help check crime against women in the State.
