TN Government School Students Show 30% Rise in College Enrolment
Tamil Nadu has recorded a nearly 30% increase in the number of government school students pursuing higher education over the last three years. According to the state’s school education department, at least 74% of students who appeared for the Class 12 board exams in 2023-24 from government schools enrolled in colleges.
In contrast, only 45% of these students had enrolled in 2021-22. The number rose to 69% in 2022-23, largely due to the introduction of the Pudhumai Penn scheme, which provides ₹1,000 per month to female students from government schools who pursue higher education.
In 2024, the state launched Tamil Pudhalvan, a similar incentive scheme for male students, further supporting this upward trend.
Schemes Drive College Admissions
A senior official confirmed that the increase is a result of targeted government initiatives. “Schemes like Pudhumai Penn and Naan Mudhalvan are encouraging students to continue their education beyond school,” the official said.
Naan Mudhalvan, introduced in 2022, focuses on awareness and motivation for higher education. It also led to the formation of career guidance cells in government schools, starting from May 2023.
Enrollment Statistics and Trends
In 2022-23, 2,72,744 out of 3,97,809 Class 12 government school students enrolled in higher education. In 2023-24, 2,47,744 out of 3,34,723 students made it to colleges. These figures include those admitted to polytechnic colleges and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
The University Management Information System (UMIS) was used to collect this data. Officials noted that UMIS now offers more accurate and timely reports than in previous years. A stream-wise breakdown of enrollment is still awaited.
State Leads in Gross Enrollment Ratio
Tamil Nadu already has a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of 47%, the highest among larger Indian states, as per the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22. The current rise in enrollment from government schools is expected to further boost the GER.
Although GER represents the proportion of students in higher education compared to the eligible age group, the sharp jump from 45% to 74% among Class 12 pass-outs shows remarkable progress.
Efforts to Expand Outreach
In total, 7.6 lakh students took the Class 12 exam in 2023-24 across the state. About 45% of them were from government schools. Among these, the pass percentage was 91.02%.
To support students who did not pass initially, the department conducted special classes and facilitated their participation in supplementary exams.
The career guidance cells, which play a crucial role in transition planning, consist of the headmaster, assigned teachers, alumni, and school management committee members. The department will begin training sessions for these teams from mid-April 2025.
Next Steps and Community Engagement
Following the training, schools will hold career guidance meetings to assess progress and plan interventions. Additionally, headmasters must present reports on student transition efforts at Gram Sabha meetings scheduled for May 1.
The department has lined up several activities through May to ensure that all students get the necessary support, guidance, and encouragement to enter higher education.
Conclusion
Tamil Nadu’s push to improve higher education access for government school students is yielding visible results. With schemes like Pudhumai Penn, Tamil Pudhalvan, and Naan Mudhalvan, the state is working steadily toward its goal of 100% college transition for government school graduates in the coming years.
