Chennai: Tamil Nadu has emerged as a leader in higher education in India, achieving a 49% Gross enrollment ratio (GER) according to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE). This significant accomplishment is largely credited to Chief Minister M. K. Stalin’s visionary educational schemes, which have also boosted the percentage of girls from government schools enrolling in higher education to 34%.
One key initiative, the ‘Pudumai Penn’ scheme, has been instrumental in encouraging girls to continue their education after school. Launched on September 6, 2022, the scheme provides a monthly assistance of Rs 1000 to girl students who enroll in higher education courses after studying in government schools from Class 6 to 12. To date, 273,000 students have benefitted from this scheme, enabling them to pursue professional, arts, science, and polytechnic courses without financial hindrances.
Other impactful schemes include the ‘Naan Mudhalvan’ initiative, which has benefitted 27 lakh students since 2022. This program aims to enhance students’ skills and employability, providing comprehensive training and preparation for entrance tests, interviews, and other employment-related challenges. As a result, 119,000 students have secured government jobs through this initiative.
The State also supports first-generation graduates by providing a stipend for three years. Since its inception, this program has helped 413,241 students, with the government investing Rs 1000 crore. Additionally, the industrial skill development scheme selects 10,000 students annually for a 25-day internship in companies, offering a stipend of Rs 16,600 and often leading to permanent employment.
In an effort to prepare students for the global job market, the government has facilitated foreign language training in German, French, and Japanese for 12,000 engineering students. This initiative aims to enhance their employability in international markets.
Tamil Nadu has also made significant investments in research and digital infrastructure. The government has allocated Rs 50 crore to support research, resulting in the publication of 1,960 research papers. Moreover, the installation of Learning Management Systems (LMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems at a cost of Rs 150 crore in 14 government universities and technical education departments has sparked a digital revolution in education.
Under the Kamaraj College Development Scheme, Rs 1000 crore has been sanctioned over five years to develop infrastructure in government institutions. In the first phase (2022-23), Rs 250 crore was allocated, followed by Rs 200 crore in 2023-24, for constructing additional buildings, new colleges, laboratories, and other facilities.
Additionally, the government honored 10 scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with a purse of Rs 25 lakh each for their contributions to Indian space research, bringing pride to the State.
Furthermore, students admitted to professional colleges under the 7.5% reservation for government school students have benefitted from the government covering their college fees, hostel fees, and transport charges, amounting to Rs 213.37 crore for 23,601 beneficiaries.
Overall, Tamil Nadu’s progressive educational policies and substantial investments in higher education have positioned the State as a leader, setting a benchmark for others to follow.
