Tamil Nadu Education Department Launches Higher Education Awareness Programme for Class 11 Students

The Tamil Nadu school education department has instructed all government higher secondary schools across the state to carry out a two-hour campaign titled Uyarkalviye Engal Illaku (Higher Education is Our Goal) for Class 11 students and their parents by January 31. The objective of the programme is to strengthen awareness about higher education pathways, skill development courses, and available scholarship options beyond school.

The department has set aside a budget of Rs 2.8 crore for the initiative, which is expected to benefit more than 3.58 lakh students enrolled in government schools. Officials said the initiative is part of a broader effort by the state government to encourage students in public schools to continue their studies after Class 12.

Officials noted that a key challenge remains convincing parents of the value of continued education, which has led to an emphasis on engaging parents as part of this drive. With parental awareness as a central theme, the programme aims to ensure families understand the scope of higher education and related opportunities.

The awareness programme will include activities where students and parents receive badges, take an oath, and participate in signing a vision wall pledging commitment to higher education. More than 15,000 alumni of government schools have been invited to take part in quizzes and interaction sessions covering scholarships, schemes, and higher education options.

The education department said that efforts such as the Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Pudhavalvan schemes, under which Rs 1,000 is provided to government school students who pursue higher education, have contributed to increased enrolment. Data from 2023-24 shows that over 74 percent of government school students progressed to higher education following secondary schooling.

District Chief Education Officers have been instructed to release the necessary funds and ensure that all government higher secondary schools complete the programme within the stipulated timeframe.