CD Web Desk
Mangaluru: Close to 10,000 girls studying in government high schools across Dakshina Kannada district have been trained in self-defence through a structured karate programme implemented this academic year under the state-run Rani Lakshmibai Self-Defence Training Scheme.
A total of 9,943 girls from 171 government high schools underwent three months of specialised karate training, conducted by the Department of School Education and Literacy through Samagra Shiksha Karnataka (SSK). The initiative is aimed at strengthening physical fitness, enhancing mental resilience, equipping students with practical self-defence skills, and building self-confidence among adolescent girls.
According to Sumangala S. Nayak, Deputy Project Coordinator of SSK, each participating school was allotted ₹9,000 to implement the programme. “This academic year, the training began in November and consisted of 18 sessions per school spread over three months. Mangaluru, Bantwal and Belthangady taluks recorded the highest number of beneficiaries,” she said.
Schools were permitted to engage qualified local karate instructors, who focused on hands-on training in essential self-defence techniques, including face punches, straight punches, counter-attacks, and escape manoeuvres. The sessions were conducted under the supervision of the headmaster or physical education teacher and were scheduled in a manner that did not disrupt regular academic activities.
Teachers have reported an overwhelmingly positive response from students, noting a visible boost in confidence, alertness and self-assurance among participants. “Though the programme was open to boys as well, none opted to enrol,” said the headmaster of a government high school in Puttur.
Education officials view the initiative as a crucial step towards empowering young girls with the skills and confidence needed to ensure their personal safety, while also fostering discipline and mental strength.
