India, June 4 -- State school education minister Dada Bhuse announced on Monday that military training will be made mandatory in state-run schools from the first grade to instil patriotism, loyalty for the nation, a sense of discipline, exercise and organisation skills among students. Bhuse declared the plan after a meeting with education officers in Nashik.

"There are about 2.5 lakh ex-servicemen in the state who will be inducted to implement this programme," he said, adding sports teachers, National Cadet Corps (NCC) and scout guide instructors will also impart military education to the students.

The idea stemmed from feedback of 48 zilla parishad school teachers who recently returned from a study tour to Singapore, impressed with "th...